The anthem singer who performed the Canadian anthem prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night changed a lyric in 鈥淥 Canada鈥� as a response to U.S. President Donald Trump鈥檚 repeated remarks about making the country the 51st state.
Publicist Adam Gonshor in an email to The Associated Press confirmed Chantal Kreviazuk changed the lyric from 鈥渋n all of us command鈥� to 鈥渢hat only us command鈥� and confirmed Trump鈥檚 51st state comments were the reason why. During Canada鈥檚 3-2 overtime victory, Kreviazuk told the AP she did it 鈥渂ecause I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 somebody who grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being,鈥� she added. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it would be authentic to me to be given a world stage and not express myself and be true to myself.鈥�
Kreviazuk, who is from Winnipeg, Man., also wrote the phrase 鈥渢hat only us command鈥� with mascara on her left hand. She posted a picture of that on her Instagram with emojis of a Canadian flag and a flexed muscle.
鈥淚 just put it on there so if I ever had a moment and I kind of froze, I would be able to look at my hand and see it,鈥� Kreviazuk said. 鈥淚鈥檇 love to see people sort of get inspired and catch the fire and say their heart more in their art. 鈥� Sometimes you just got to speak the truth in your art and it鈥檚 awesome. That鈥檚 what it should be about.鈥�
The NHL declined comment on the situation.
Fans in Boston lightly booed the song, though it was soon drowned out by Kreviazuk鈥檚 singing. The crowd in Montreal booed 鈥淭he Star-Spangled Banner鈥� prior to U.S. tournament games at Bell Centre last week, more vociferously before the team faced Canada.
Tensions have risen between the neighbors and longtime allies over the past several weeks as Trump since being inaugurated has suggested multiple times that Canada become the 51st U.S. state, in relation to a trade dispute, and threatened a series of tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that will never happen.
The subject of Canada becoming the 51st state was brought up Thursday during a news conference with David McGuinty, Canada鈥檚 Public Safety Minister.
鈥淪ounds like President Trump is worried about the outcome of the hockey game,鈥� McGuinty said. 鈥淐anada is a sovereign and independent country. It has been for over 150 years and will remain so. This discussion of 51st state is a non-starter.鈥�
Trump called the U.S. team prior to their morning skate Thursday to wish players luck in the game. Players told reporters in Boston it was an honor to hear from him, with defenseman Noah Hanifin saying, 鈥淗opefully we can get the win tonight for our country and for Trump.鈥�
Stephen Whyno And Ken Powtak, The Associated Press
