By Rejoice Henrietta Otoo Arthur
Thousands of Canadians are calling for Elon Musk’s citizenship to be taken away. A petition started five days ago, accuses Musk of acting against Canada’s interests and interfering in its politics.
The petition, which has already been signed by over 250,000 people, claims that Musk has used his wealth to influence Canadian elections and has become part of a foreign government that threatens Canadian sovereignty.
Musk, who was born in South Africa, has Canadian citizenship through his mother, who was born in Saskatchewan.
The billionaire responded to the petition by saying, “Canada is not a real country,” though he later deleted the post. The petition is mostly symbolic and doesn’t have legal power.
However, if it gets 500 signatures and the backing of a member of parliament, the government usually responds.
The petition was started by an author from British Columbia and is supported by MP Charlie Angus of the New Democratic Party. Angus has announced he will not run for re-election. Musk has Canadian and U.S. citizenship. He moved to Canada at 18, studied at Queen’s University in Ontario, and later moved to the U.S.
He has supported some of Donald Trump’s policies, including tough immigration rules, and is now facing accusations of working illegally in the U.S. on a student visa. Musk denies the claims and became a U.S. citizen in 2002.
