Arrest made after Tesla dealership vandalized in Vancouver
Vancouver police blame backlash against Elon Musk for string of Tesla dealership incidents
Vancouver police say they have recorded eight "acts of mischief" targeting Tesla dealerships since Jan. 1 and they believe backlash against Elon Musk is to blame.
The latest incident happened Friday morning near Burrard Street and West 4th Avenue when police were called to a dealership at 1:30 a.m. where police say "obscenities" had been spray-painted on the front window of the business.
One person was arrested and is due to appear in court May 15.
In a news release, Cst. Tania Vistin said there have been "eight confirmed acts of mischief in Vancouver that police believe are politically motivated and in opposition to Tesla owner Elon Musk's political affiliation with the U.S. government."
She confirmed to CBC News that all eight incidents were at dealerships and no other arrests have been made.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has been closely associated with U.S. President Donald Trump. The billionaire played an active role in the president's election campaign and was appointed to oversee the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been slashing government spending and programs.
Canada-wide anger
Sentiment against the American president has turned sour in much of Canada since Trump started imposing tariffs on Canadians goods, and repeatedly telling reporters that his desired outcome of the trade war is for Canada to become the 51st state.
In early January, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau posted a response on X to Trump mockingly calling Canada the 51st state.
In a Jan. 8 post, two days after Trudeau announced he would be stepping down, Musk replied, "Girl, you're not the governor of Canada anymore, so it doesn't matter what you say," echoing Trump's habit of referring to the prime minister as a governor, the title given to leaders of states.
Last month, thousands of Canadians started signing a petition to have Musk's citizenship revoked for his attempts to "attack Canadian sovereignty."
"Canada is not a real country," he responded on X, in a since-deleted post.
- This Sunday, Cross Country Checkup is asking: Whether you own a Tesla or not … what's your reaction to all the backlash? Leave your comment here and we may read it or call you back for our show.
Vancouver is not the only place where Tesla products have been targeted: protests, damaged vehicles and even arson have been reported across Canada, the United States and parts of Europe.
The Vancouver International Auto Show removed Tesla from its event this week, saying its primary concern was the safety of attendees and exhibitors. The B.C., Manitoba and Nova Scotia governments have also removed Tesla from their lists of eligible products for rebate programs promoting electric vehicle usage, citing Musk's politics as the reason.
In Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, seven Tesla superchargers were rendered inoperable after being vandalized and two were "completely incinerated" by fire, fire investigator Capt. Alan Millbank told CHEK News on Monday.
Tesla driver Hurmeet Tiwana told the news outlet that it was "uncomfortable" seeing all the incidents of arson and vandalism, while another driver, Richard Paterson, felt targeting chargers used by every day drivers was misdirected,.
"I bought the car for the efficiency, not for a political statement," he told CHEK.
Vistin said while police support the right to peaceful and legal protest, those who "commit acts of violence and mischief will face arrest and criminal charges."
She said files in all the Vancouver incidents remain open.
With files from CHEK News