Singer Chantal Kreviazuk Alters Canadian Anthem Lyrics at Hockey Game in Protest of Trump’s 51st State Remarks
Singer Chantal Kreviazuk Alters Canadian Anthem Lyrics at Hockey Game in Protest of Trump’s 51st State Remarks
During the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between Canada and the U.S. on Thursday, singer Chantal Kreviazuk made a bold statement by altering the lyrics of the Canadian national anthem, intensifying the already politically charged atmosphere.
In her pre-game performance of O Canada, Kreviazuk modified the line “in all of us command” to “that only us command.” She later shared a photo on Instagram showing the altered lyrics written on her hand.
Her publicist, Adam Gonshor, confirmed to The Associated Press that the change was a direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that Canada could become the 51st state of the U.S.
Kreviazuk, a Winnipeg native, addressed the political tensions on Instagram, writing: "I am sorry if you think we’d be better off annexed. To me, art is an expression of our truth, and in this crucial moment, we must use our voices to protect ourselves… No – we must speak out against any abuse of power. I was raised on music inspired by brave voices dedicated to peaceful conflict resolution. Canada, like Ukraine, is a sovereign nation. Period. We have our own culture, values, and identity. We care, we’re kind, and we are strong."
Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state, criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and threatened severe tariffs that could harm Canada’s economy. This has sparked backlash, with The Star-Spangled Banner being booed at Canadian hockey arenas in recent weeks, including during Saturday’s game in Montreal before the tournament’s opening match.
On Thursday, O Canada was briefly met with boos in Boston before the game, but by the anthem’s conclusion, much of the crowd appeared to be singing along.
Canada ultimately secured a 3-2 overtime victory, winning the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off championship—a midseason international tournament organized by the NHL.
Following the game, Kreviazuk celebrated on Instagram with a fist-pump photo, captioned: "And justice prevails."
Prime Minister Trudeau also weighed in on the growing tensions, posting on X: "You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game."
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