Chantal Kreviazuk changes O Canada lyrics at hockey game against U.S. to protest Trump

Chantal Kreviazuk, the Canadian Grammy-award winning singer, changed the lyrics to O Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off game against the United States on Thursday in response to repeated comments about absorbing Canada as a "51st state."

A representative confirmed in an email to CBC News that Kreviazuk intentionally sang "that only us command" instead of "in all of us command" to protest the rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Kreviazuk, 50, posted a photo of the adjusted lyrics written on her hand on Instagram.

"In this very peculiar and potentially consequential moment I truly believe that we must stand up, use our voices and try to protect ourselves," wrote Kreviazuk, who is from Winnipeg.

"We should express our outrage in the face of any abuses of power."

WATCH | Kreviazuk's lyric change during O Canada: 

'That only us command': Chantal Kreviazuk changes lyrics to 4 Nations Face-Off anthem

23 hours ago

Duration 0:17

Singer Chantal Kreviazuk performed Canada's national anthem at Thursday's 4 Nations Face-Off final against the United States in Boston. But instead of 'in all of us command,' she sang, 'that only us command.'

The anthem was booed loudly ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off final at TD Garden in Boston, despite a request by the arena's public announcer for respect. 

Canada won the game 3-2 with a sudden-death overtime goal from Connor McDavid, in an event seen as a table-setter for the NHL's Olympic return in 2026. Nobody booed the Canadian anthem when it played the second time after the game, since virtually all of the American fans had left.

"You can't take our country — and you can't take our game," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on X after the win. 

• This Sunday, Cross Country Checkup is asking: What would Canada as the 51st State mean to you? Fill out this form and you could appear on the show or have your comment read on air.
   

The U.S. anthem has been booed at professional sporting events and before 4 Nations games north of the border after Trump threatened tariffs against Canada, which has long been one of his nation's closest allies.

Trump has also continued to muse — including Thursday morning online — that America's neighbour and close ally should become the "51st state."

"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," said Canada's Nathan MacKinnon, who was selected the MVP of the new tournament with four goals in four games.

"It was much more popular than even we would have imagined. It was getting so much attention from our whole continent."

Boos filled the Bell Centre in Montreal both times the American national anthem was played ahead of the country's games earlier in the tournament. Those jeers reached a crescendo Saturday before the U.S. topped Canada 3-1 to qualify for Thursday's final. 

O Canada was tepidly booed by some fans Monday at the same Boston arena before a 5-3 victory over Finland that booked Canada a spot in the championship game.