Telsa has been removed as a participant from one of the largest car shows in Canada.
Elon Musk’s electric car company was barred from participating in the Vancouver International Auto Show after event organizers said that it would be prioritizing the safety of attendees and staff.
Newsweek contacted Tesla for a response via email.
Why It Matters
Tesla has already faced backlash from Canada due to Musk’s prominent role within the Trump administration. President Donald Trump’s tariff policy against Canadian trade with the U.S. has led to a rise in anti-American sentiment in the nation, and Musk’s close proximity with Trump has had a knock-on effect on his company’s reputation there.
People participate in a “TeslaTakedown” protest against Elon Musk outside of a Tesla dealership in Irvine, California, March 1, 2025. People participate in a “TeslaTakedown” protest against Elon Musk outside of a Tesla dealership in Irvine, California, March 1, 2025. Getty Images
What To Know
In a statement on Tuesday, event organizers said that Tesla would no longer be participating in the Vancouver International Auto Show due to safety concerns.
The event’s executive director Eric Nicholl said, “The Vancouver Auto Show’s primary concern is the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff,” and that “this decision will ensure all attendees can be solely focused on enjoying the many positive elements of the event.”
The show, which started on Wednesday and will end Sunday, is one of the largest car shows in North America, featuring some of the most prominent car companies in the world as exhibitors, such as Porsche, Land Rover, Mazda, and Ford.
The decision comes a week after Tesla was barred from British Columbia’s electric vehicle infrastructure rebate, a move that Premier David Eby was directly caused by Musk’s actions in the U.S. government.
A number of protests have popped up in Canada against Musk and his companies, particularly in the last three months, as Musk has become more prominent in politics and after Trump returned to the White House for his second term. The “Tesla Takedown” movement saw protests organized in both Ottawa and Vancouver with dozens of demonstrators gathering outside Tesla dealerships.
Musk has, in turn, branded the rebate decision as “crazy”, and has said on social media that Canada is not a real country, though this post was later deleted.
What People Are Saying
Tesla Takedown said in a statement to Newsweek: “We are a nonviolent grassroots protest movement. We oppose violence and destruction of property. Peaceful protest on public property is not domestic terrorism. They are trying to intimidate us. We will not let them succeed.
“We will not be bullied or allow our rights to be trampled on or stolen. If you’re ready to show Donald Trump and Elon Musk that there are no kings in America, join a Tesla Takedown protest in your community this weekend.”
What Happens Next
Musk continues to play a major role in the Trump administration at the Department of Government Efficiency, and could have a significant impact on Canada-U.S. relations in the future. Exactly how that effects the company in which he is the CEO going forward remains to be seen.
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