British Columbia’s tiny fishing village of Bella Bella was buzzing this weekend after Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man and CEO of Tesla and X, made an unexpected stop.
Musk reportedly arrived by private jet before transferring to a helicopter, spending only a short time in the isolated community of around 1,500 residents, located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest.
Local resident Seán Carter told CBC News the area is no stranger to high-profile guests, but Musk’s appearance still stood out. “It’s not every day the richest man in the world comes through town. That’s going to be a tough one to top,” Carter said.
Reports suggest Musk may have been en route to visit James Murdoch—a Tesla board member and son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch—who owns property off the coast.
Musk’s Canadian Connection
Though born in South Africa, Musk is a Canadian citizen through his mother, Maye Musk, who was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. He spent part of his youth in Saskatchewan and Vancouver, later attending college in Canada before moving to the U.S.
Musk has often played up—and at times criticized—his Canadian identity. In 2023, he posted a photo in an “I Love Canada” shirt, calling himself “half-Canadian.” But in early 2025, during controversy over a petition calling for his citizenship to be revoked, he posted (then deleted) a tweet saying, “Canada is not a real country.”
Political Tensions Around Musk in Canada
Musk’s influence in Canada is complicated.
- Some provinces, including B.C. and Quebec, have excluded Tesla from electric vehicle rebate programs as part of pushback against U.S. tariffs.
- At the same time, Musk’s Starlink satellite internet has become a lifeline in rural Canada, where over half of small communities rely on it for connectivity.
Earlier this year, political debate over Musk’s Canadian status intensified, with critics pointing to his ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump and his role in trade disputes.
Local Reactions: Mixed Feelings in Bella Bella
In Bella Bella, Musk’s visit drew both excitement and criticism.
Emily Lowan, a candidate for the B.C. Green Party leadership, posted photos of Musk’s arrival on social media, writing: “Yet another reason to tax billionaires out of existence.”
Others were more amused than political. Carter recalled that Musk didn’t receive any special treatment at the local airstrip. “The plane landed on one side, the helicopter on the other, and he had to walk a long way. He probably hoped to come in and out quietly, but there are no secrets in this town.”
It’s interesting how Musk’s visit highlights the often-overlookBlog comment creationed Canadian chapter of his life. Bella Bella’s remote setting makes the stop even more intriguing—almost symbolic of how unexpected places can carry personal or strategic significance. I wonder if this will spark more attention toward his Canadian roots in future conversations about his story.
I’m curious if Musk’s visit had more to do with his ties to James Murdoch or if there’s something else going on. Either way, it must have been a surreal moment for Bella Bella.