During the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between the US and Canada on Thursday, renowned singer Chantal Kreviazuk made a notable change to the Canadian national anthem, adding a layer of intrigue to an already politically charged event. The alteration of "O Canada" took place during her pre-game performance, where Kreviazuk replaced the line “in all of us command” with “that only us command.” She later shared a photo on Instagram, showing the modified lyric written on her hand.
According to publicist Adam Gonshor, Kreviazuk's decision to alter the lyrics was a direct protest against President Donald Trump’s comments regarding the potential annexation of Canada as the 51st state of the US. The singer, who hails from Winnipeg, used her social media platform to address the tensions between the two nations. She expressed her discontent, stating, “I am sorry if you think that we’d be better off annexed. Here is the thing. Art to me is an expression of our truth.”
Kreviazuk emphasized the importance of protecting Canada’s sovereignty and highlighted the cultural uniqueness of her homeland. “Canada, not unlike Ukraine, is a sovereign nation. Period. We have a culture individual to others. We are united in our values. We care. We’re kind. We are strong,” she wrote on Instagram. Her message resonated with many, as she encouraged others to use their voices in the face of any abuses of power.
Since the beginning of his presidency, Trump has made multiple statements expressing his desire to see Canada become a part of the US, often targeting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and threatening tariffs that could significantly impact Canada’s economy. This ongoing political tension has led to instances where "The Star-Spangled Banner" has been booed at Canadian venues, including a notable incident in Montreal during the first 4 Nations Face-Off clash.
Despite the brief booing of "O Canada" before Thursday’s game in Boston, the Canadian anthem eventually unified the crowd as many joined in singing. Canada triumphed with a 3-2 overtime victory, securing the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off championship—a midseason international tournament hosted by the NHL. Following the game, Kreviazuk shared a celebratory photo on Instagram, captioned, “and justice prevails.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau highlighted the ongoing tensions between the US and Canada in a post-game message on X, stating, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.” This statement further underscored the competitive spirit and national pride shared by Canadians during this politically significant event.
