At the recent 4 Nations Face-Off championship game, singer Chantal Kreviazuk made headlines by altering a lyric in “O Canada.” Instead of singing the usual line “in all of us command,” she changed it to “that only us command.” This tweak was seen as a response to President Trump, who has frequently suggested that Canada become the 51st state.
Kreviazuk, who is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, expressed her motives through a statement. She said, “I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to defend itself against tyranny and fascism.” She felt it was important to be true to herself while performing on such a prominent stage.
Before the anthem, Kreviazuk wrote the altered phrase on her hand with mascara, allowing her to glance at it in case she felt nervous. She shared her preparation on Instagram, using emojis of the Canadian flag and a flexed muscle. She hopes her actions inspire others to express their truths through art, stating, “Sometimes you just got to speak the truth in your art.”
In her post addressing the reaction to her performance, she acknowledged that not everyone might agree with her perspective. She wrote, “I am sorry if my performance of our national anthem rubbed you the wrong way.” She emphasized Canada’s sovereignty, pointing out that it deserves respect just like any nation.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also chimed in, declaring on X, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.” His comments reflect the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Canada, especially after President Trump’s repeated references to the idea of Canada as the 51st state in recent months. This has been particularly relevant amid various trade disputes and threats of tariffs.
Public sentiment was mixed during the game. While Kreviazuk’s performance received some light boos from fans in Boston, it quickly turned into applause. Just days earlier, fans in Montreal had booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” during matches involving the U.S. team.
The discussion of Canada’s status came up during a news conference with David McGuinty, Canada’s Public Safety Minister. He reassured that Canada has been a sovereign nation for over 150 years and the idea of becoming the 51st state is unlikely to be taken seriously. He even joked about Trump potentially being anxious about the hockey game’s outcome.
As the game unfolded, Trump reached out to the U.S. team, wishing them luck. Players mentioned that it was an honor to hear from him, highlighting the ongoing intersection of politics and sports in the public eye.
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