Arrest made after Tesla dealership vandalized in Vancouver
CBC
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.
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.
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.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is forming a working group to tackle what it calls systemic issues in the justice system, but answers or solutions could still be months away.
A woman has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death in a 2024 fatal hit and run in Truro, N.S., where the victim was dragged down the street, a case that went unsolved for more than six months.