Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk changed the lyrics of “O Canada” during a recent hockey game between the US and Canada, adding fuel to the already tense diplomatic relationship.
The change came after President Donald Trump made comments about turning Canada into the 51st state of the US, sparking outrage among Canadians. Kreviazuk, who is from Winnipeg, made the alteration to protest Trump’s statements and express her support for Canadian sovereignty.
In an Instagram post, Kreviazuk wrote: “Art to me is an expression of our truth.” She also defended Canada as a sovereign nation with its own culture and values. The change sparked a reaction from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who posted on X, saying, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”
The controversy surrounding the US-Canada relationship has been ongoing since Trump’s presidency began, with repeated jabs at Trudeau and threats of tariffs that would have a significant impact on Canada’s economy. The altered anthem was booed during the game in Boston, but it appeared that most of the crowd sang “O Canada” together by its conclusion.
In the end, Canada won the championship, capturing the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off title in overtime.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/21/sport/chantal-kreviazuk-canada-anthem-usa-hockey-spt-intl/index.html