Singer Chantal Kreviazuk made a bold statement at the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between the U.S. and Canada. She changed the lyrics of the Canadian national anthem, “O Canada,” to protest Trump’s remarks about making Canada the 51st state.
A Political Twist to the Anthem
During her pre-game performance, Kreviazuk altered the line “in all of us command” to “that only us command.” She later shared a photo on Instagram showing the revised lyrics written on her hand. Her publicist confirmed that the change was a direct response to Trump’s remarks.
The Canadian singer, originally from Winnipeg, used social media to express her stance. She emphasized Canada’s sovereignty, writing:
“Canada, not unlike Ukraine, is a sovereign nation. Period. We have a culture unique to others. We are united in our values. We care. We’re kind. We are strong.”
Growing Tensions Between the U.S. and Canada
Trump has frequently made comments about annexing Canada, often taking jabs at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. His threats of heavy tariffs on Canadian exports have further strained relations between the two nations.
In response to these tensions, Canadian hockey fans have started booing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at games. The trend continued in Montreal before the first game. Meanwhile, some American fans booed “O Canada” before Thursday’s game in Boston, though many in the crowd eventually joined in singing it.
Canada Wins on and off the Ice
Despite the political undertones of the game, Canada won 3-2 in overtime to claim the first 4 Nations Face-Off title.
After the game, Kreviazuk celebrated on Instagram, posting a photo of herself doing a fist pump with the caption: “And justice prevails.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also weighed in, posting on X:
“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”
Conclusion
Kreviazuk’s anthem protest added another layer to the already intense U.S.-Canada hockey rivalry. As political tensions between the two nations persist, her bold statement has ignited debate over patriotism, artistic expression, and national identity.
