Elon Musk’s Canadian citizenship has come under public scrutiny, stemming from his involvement with foreign governments and his controversial comments about Canada. Musk holds citizenship in South Africa, the United States, and Canada, with his Canadian citizenship acquired by descent through his mother, Maye Musk, who was born in Saskatchewan.
Musk automatically gained Canadian citizenship at birth, as current Canadian laws allow children born abroad to inherit citizenship from their Canadian parents for one generation. However, Musk’s citizenship has recently become a topic of debate after a petition was launched, calling for its revocation. The petition, led by author Qualia Reed and supported by NDP MP Charlie Angus, has garnered over 340,000 signatures, accusing Musk of eroding Canadian sovereignty through his global ventures.
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Despite the public outcry, legal experts clarify that Canada can only revoke citizenship if it was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation, making it unlikely that the petition will succeed. Musk, meanwhile, has dismissed the calls in a now-deleted post on X, sarcastically commenting that “Canada is not a real country,” further intensifying the debate.
Musk’s case has drawn attention to Canada’s evolving citizenship laws, particularly the second-generation cut-off rule, which prevents Canadian citizens born abroad from passing citizenship to their children. In light of a recent court ruling deeming the rule unconstitutional, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-71, which would amend the Citizenship Act to include a “substantial connection to Canada” test. The bill is still in its early stages, with its future uncertain following Prime Minister Trudeau’s resignation in early 2025.
As these legal discussions continue, Musk’s citizenship status serves as a focal point for broader debates about Canadian citizenship and its limitations.
