VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Tesla has been excluded from participating in this week’s Vancouver International Auto Show due to safety concerns, as stated by the event’s executive director on Tuesday. The decision, made in the interest of ensuring the safety of workers, attendees, and exhibitors, comes after the electric carmaker was given multiple opportunities to voluntarily withdraw. This move aims to allow all attendees to fully enjoy the positive aspects of the event, which is set to take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre from Wednesday to Sunday.
The removal of Tesla from the auto show follows a series of “Tesla Takedown” protests that occurred over the weekend in cities such as Ottawa and Vancouver. These protests targeted Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his advisory role to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has recently caused controversy in Canada by suggesting the incorporation of the country as the 51st U.S. state. At a demonstration outside a Tesla dealership in Surrey, British Columbia, signs bearing messages like “elbows up,” “Elon be-gone,” and “democracy dies in apathy” were displayed by approximately two dozen protesters.
In response to the contentious atmosphere surrounding Tesla and Musk, one protester, Pat McCutcheon, expressed support for the decision to remove Tesla from the auto show. McCutcheon emphasized the importance of preventing potential acts of vandalism or physical confrontations by acknowledging the strong emotions evoked by Tesla’s presence. He also announced plans for another protest outside a Langley, British Columbia Tesla dealership this coming weekend, citing concerns over Musk’s influence in shaping democratic processes.
Recent developments further highlight the escalating tensions between Canada and the United States, as British Columbia Hydro recently decided to exclude Tesla products from its electric vehicle rebate program. This decision aligns with the provincial government’s strategy to prioritize Canadian goods over American ones amid the ongoing trade disputes between the two countries. With these events unfolding, the issue of foreign influence and economic interdependence continues to shape relations between neighbors.