Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk sang O Canada before the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament on February 20, 2025, in Boston. (Photo: Charles Krupa/The Associated Press)
Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk made a bold statement during the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game against the U.S. on Thursday by changing the lyrics of O Canada. The Grammy-winning artist altered the anthem to protest comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump about absorbing Canada as the "51st state."
Instead of singing "in all of us command," Kreviazuk deliberately replaced it with "that only us command." Her representative confirmed the change in an email to CBC News, stating it was a deliberate act of protest against Trump’s rhetoric.
Following her performance, the Winnipeg-born singer shared an Instagram photo showing the revised lyrics written on her hand. In her post, she expressed the urgency of using one's voice during pivotal moments. "We must stand up, use our voices, and try to protect ourselves," she wrote. "We should express our outrage in the face of any abuses of power."
Despite a request for respect from the TD Garden announcer, the anthem was met with loud boos from the crowd before the championship game. However, after Canada’s 3-2 overtime victory, O Canada played again—this time without jeers, as most American fans had left the arena.
The controversy comes amid escalating tensions between Canada and the U.S., fuelled by Trump's ongoing remarks about making Canada a U.S. state. The former president even reiterated the idea online on the morning of the game.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the event with a defiant post on X, stating, "You can't take our country — and you can't take our game."
The rivalry had been brewing throughout the tournament. In previous games, American fans booed O Canada, while Canadian crowds returned the favour when the U.S. anthem was played in Montreal and Boston. The hostility peaked on Saturday when loud jeers filled the Bell Centre in Montreal before Canada’s 3-1 loss to the U.S., which secured their spot in the final.
Nathan MacKinnon, Canada’s tournament MVP, acknowledged the heightened emotions. "A lot of stuff going on with Canada and the USA right now, and us playing against each other was kind of a perfect storm for our sport," he said. "It was much more popular than even we expected."
Though the tournament showcased top-tier hockey, the political backdrop ensured that emotions ran high both on and off the ice.
