Elon Musk was spotted on the tarmac in Bella Bella, B.C., on Monday, August 18, 2025. CBC
Weekend Buzz in Bella Bella
Residents of Bella Bella, a small fishing town on B.C.’s Central Coast, are still buzzing after Elon Musk made an unexpected appearance over the weekend. The Tesla and X boss touched down in a private plane on Saturday before transferring to a helicopter. He returned Monday and left again from the local airstrip.
Locals React to the Visit
The community of about 1,500 people has seen famous visitors before, including members of the Royal Family. But locals say Musk’s arrival was something else entirely.
“It’s not every day the richest man comes through,” said resident Seán Carter. “That’s gonna be a tough one to top.”
Carter believes Musk was travelling to a property owned by James Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch and a Tesla board member. Murdoch bought land off the B.C. coast years ago, drawn by its natural beauty.
Musk’s Canadian Roots
Though born in South Africa, Musk holds Canadian citizenship through his mother, Maye Musk, who was born in Regina. He spent part of his youth in Saskatchewan and Vancouver before attending Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Musk often speaks about his Canadian ties, though his comments about the country have sometimes sparked controversy.
In 2023, he posted a photo in an “I Love Canada” shirt. Later that year, he declared he was “proudly half-Canadian.” But in early 2025, responding to a petition calling for his citizenship to be revoked, he wrote online, “Canada is not a real country,” before deleting the post.
Politics and Debate
Musk’s visit came as debate continues about his influence in Canada. Earlier this year, B.C. Premier David Eby excluded Tesla vehicles from a provincial rebate program, blaming Musk’s stance on U.S. tariffs. Several Canadian municipalities have also reconsidered their use of X, while many rural communities now rely on his Starlink service for internet access.
B.C. Green Party leadership candidate Emily Lowan also weighed in after photos of Musk’s Bella Bella arrival surfaced. She criticized billionaires for buying private escapes while using jets that add to the climate crisis, calling it “a stark warning” for governments.
A Talk of the Town
Despite political debate, residents in Bella Bella said Musk’s stopover became the main topic of conversation. Carter admitted opinions about him are mixed, but everyone followed the excitement.
Even Musk didn’t escape small-town realities. Carter said the airport was busy, so the private plane and helicopter parked separately. Musk had to walk across the tarmac, far from discreet.
“I’m sure he was hoping to come in and out kind of secretly, but there’s definitely no secrets here,” Carter said with a laugh.
A Visit to Remember
While his stay was short, Musk’s brief presence left a lasting impression on the tight-knit community. For Bella Bella, the unexpected touchdown by the world’s richest man will remain a story locals share for years.
