Controversy at 4 Nations Final: ‘O Canada’ Booed as Kreviazuk Protests Trump with Anthem Alteration

BOSTON – Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk is speaking out after her performance of the national anthem at the 4 Nations Face-Off final stirred up some controversy. The Winnipeg native was booed while singing “O Canada” before the game against the United States at TD Garden.

Despite the loud jeers from the crowd, Kreviazuk said she was not affected. In a bold move, she changed a lyric in “O Canada” as a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about making Canada the 51st state. Instead of singing “in all of us command,” she opted for “that only us command.” Her publicist, Adam Gonshor, confirmed this adjustment in an email.

Kreviazuk shared her feelings on Instagram, showing the altered lyric written on her hand along with emojis of a Canadian flag and a flexed muscle. She later explained in a phone interview that the emotion behind her performance impacted her singing. “I was singing for our pride, for our honour, our sovereignty, our history—the good, the bad—and the future,” she stated.

The decision to change the lyric had been on her mind throughout the day. “It felt like I would have been unsatisfied had I not itched the scratch,” she shared, referring to her artistic philosophy of staying true to her feelings. She expressed satisfaction after Canada’s thrilling 3-2 overtime victory, seeing it as poetic justice.

However, social media reactions were mixed. Many viewers criticized her performance. One user on X, formerly Twitter, expressed disappointment, saying, “Chantal, baby, what is you doing? This doesn’t even sound like O Canada!” Another user echoed this sentiment, stating, “I’m Canadian and I’d boo her too… That was awful.” In contrast, the crowd sang the U.S. anthem with full enthusiasm.

The backdrop to the boos included a history of similar treatment for the U.S. anthem at events, especially after President Trump’s remarks that have sparked tension between the neighboring countries. Earlier matches saw American national anthems booed in Canadian arenas, raising the stakes for this highly anticipated game.

On the other hand, Kreviazuk’s performance went down during a momentous occasion as it marked one of many steps toward the NHL’s Olympic return in 2026. Despite the mixed reactions, she aimed to convey a deep message through her rendition of “O Canada.”

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