The anthem singer who performed the Canadian anthem prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night modified a lyric in “O Canada” as a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about making the country the 51st state.
Publicist Adam Gonshor in an email to The Associated Press confirmed Chantal Kreviazuk modified the lyric from “in all of us command” to “that only us command” and confirmed Trump’s 51st state comments were the rationale why. During Canada’s 3-2 extra time victory, Kreviazuk told the AP she did it “because I consider in democracy, and a sovereign nation mustn’t need to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism.”
“I’m someone who grew up on music that spoke to the center and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being,” she added. “I don’t think it might be authentic to me to be given a world stage and never express myself and be true to myself.”
Kreviazuk, who’s from Winnipeg, Manitoba, also wrote the phrase “that only us command” with mascara on her left hand. She posted an image of that on her Instagram with emojis of a Canadian flag and a flexed muscle.
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“I just put it on there so if I ever had a moment and I type of froze, I might find a way to take a look at my hand and see it,” Kreviazuk said. “I’d like to see people kind of get inspired and catch the fireplace and say their heart more of their art. … Sometimes you simply got to talk the reality in your art and it’s awesome. That’s what it needs to be about.”
The NHL declined comment on the situation.
Fans in Boston frivolously booed the song, though it was soon drowned out by Kreviazuk’s singing. The group in Montreal booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” 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 grow to be 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 can never occur.
The topic of Canada becoming the 51st state was brought up Thursday during a news conference with David McGuinty, Canada’s Public Safety Minister.
“Feels like President Trump is nervous in regards to the end result of the hockey game,” McGuinty said. “Canada is a sovereign and independent country. It has been for over 150 years and can remain so. This discussion of 51st state is a non-starter.”
Trump called the U.S. team prior to their morning skate Thursday to wish players luck in the sport. Players told reporters in Boston it was an honor to listen to from him, with defenseman Noah Hanifin saying, “Hopefully we will get the win tonight for our country and for Trump.”
Whyno reported from Washington. Freelancer Jim Morris contributed.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
