Background and Facts
Elon Musk is an entrepreneur, visionary, and inventor who has been at the helm of some of the most successful companies of the 21st century. He has changed the way we look at technology and the way it can shape our lives. However, many are unaware of his true origin—he was born in South Africa and immigrated to Canada when he was 17. His family’s experience as immigrants helped shape Musk’s views on the potential of technology and its use in business today. In Canada, Musk studied at Queen’s University, located in Kingston, Ontario.
Today, Musk is widely respected for his business acumen and his work in electric cars, solar energy, batteries, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and more. As of April 2021, Forbes estimates his net worth to be $163.7 billion, making him one of the wealthiest people in the world. He holds dual citizenship in the United States and South Africa, and while Musk has lived in the US for many years, the question still remains, is he a Canadian citizen?
The Canadian Citizenship Law
The Canadian Citizenship Act of 1947 defines Canadian citizenship as “the status of a person who is recognized and accepted as a full member of the Canadian nation by law.” The Act states that a person can become a citizen if they were born in Canada or if they are lawfully naturalized in Canada.
Naturalization is a legal process where immigrants to Canada can become Canadian citizens. To be naturalized, individuals must meet certain criteria, including being a resident of Canada for three years, having an adequate knowledge of one of the two official languages (English or French), and having an attachment to Canada.
Musk was born in South Africa, immigrated to Canada at the age of 17, and became a permanent resident at 18. He then moved to the US at age 31, and has not lived in Canada since. So, while Musk was educated in Canada and experienced life as an immigrant and permanent resident, he was never formally naturalized in Canada and did not fulfill the requirements to gain Canadian citizenship.
Musk’s Links with Canada
Though he is no longer a Canadian citizen, Musk has maintained his connections with the nation. In 2019, he was named a visionary leader in Canada by the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. He also spoke at Queen’s University, where he completed his undergraduate degree, in 2014, and even donated $1 million US to the university in July 2019 for a scholarship program for engineering students.
Additionally, Musk has invested in Canadian companies. In 2020 he invested in Halifax’s Krisp Cognitive Computing, a startup working on AI-based noise- elimination technology. And in 2021, Musk personally purchased C$100 million in Tesla Motors Canada stock.
Opinions of Others
Despite Musk not possessing Canadian citizenship, some argue that he has made major contributions to Canadian society by encouraging students and investing in Canadian companies. To this extent, the Canadian government has taken efforts to recognize Musk’s presence in the nation. Michael Chong, a Canadian Member of Parliament, proposed a law to recognize “extraordinary” Canadians like Musk, giving them an honorary title without granting citizenship.
Others argue that Musk should not receive special recognition as he has violated immigration laws of both Canada and the US. His three contempt convictions in 2019, which stemmed from violating a 2018 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission settlement, are seen as evidence of his carelessness in following legal regulations.
Canadian Connections
Though Musk did not naturalize in Canada as an adult, his childhood in the nation provided him with unique insights and connections. He has since used these insights to shape his business acumen and further his entrepreneurial endeavors.
For instance, Musk worked for the Canadian software developer, Coral, in the mid-1990s, where he gained expertise in global payment systems and web design. In addition, Elon Musk is a member of the PayPal Millionaires, a group of tech entrepreneurs that got their start with PayPal. Musk was the founding member from Canada, as PayPal received its initial financial funding from Investors from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Musk’s Impact on Canada
The impact Musk has had on Canada’s innovation and business landscapes is undeniable. His presence in the nation showed Canadian youth that anything is possible, despite any obstacles you may face.
The scholarships Musk donated to the Queen’s University allowed students to gain the skills necessary to move forward in their tech careers. In addition, his investments in Canadian companies, like Krisp Cognitive Computing, showed Canadian startups that they do not need to look abroad for capital to develop their businesses and innovations.
The presence of Musk in Canada is inspiring and serves as a reminder that technological progress is possible in the country.
Environmental Impact of Musk’s Work
Musk revolutionized the automotive industry with his electric vehicle company Tesla Motors. While the production of electric vehicles and batteries still requires the use of materials that are difficult to recycle, such as lithium, his work is still beneficial for the environment.
His Tesla Motors has also adopted a “closed-loop” recycling program to recover and reuse scrap materials from the production process. Furthermore, the electric cars can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Tesla claims that their cars accumulate 33% fewer emissions over the course of their life, compared to a petrol car.
Though some may debate the environmental impact of Musk’s work, it is undeniable that he had a hand in the modern electric vehicle market and its potential to help the environment.
Economic Impact of Musk’s Work
Musk has had an intangible impact on the economies of both Canada and the US. His work has pushed both countries to diversify their labor force and upgrade their technology. In addition, his investments in Canadian companies have provided capital and exposure to small startups and businesses that had previously lacked resources.
Moreover, his public appearances in Canada have had a tangible impact on the nation’s economy. His 2019 speaking event at Queen’s University generated $3.3 million in spending from visitors, attendees, and related vendors.
The economic impact of Musk’s work and influence should not be underestimated.
Conclusion: Is Elon Musk a Canadian Citizen?
Though Elon Musk does have strong ties to Canada, as he attended school there and made investments in Canadian companies, he is not a Canadian citizen. He has not formalized his citizenship in the nation, as he has moved to the US at age 31 and has not been living in Canada since. However, his impact on the nation both economically and environmentally cannot be ignored. Musk’s entrepreneurial endeavors have encouraged the nation to expand their workforce, modernize their technology, and invest in sustainable practices.
