From booing to singing, crowds keep drowning out anthems at Canadian sporting events

After weeks of Canadian fans booing the U.S. national anthem at sporting events, enthusiastic singing is now drowning out O Canada. The tensions between the two countries escalated when U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada and suggested that the country should become the 51st state. This led to Canadian sports fans responding by jeering and booing The Star-Spangled Banner whenever it was played.

However, the tables turned during Team Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off opener against Sweden at Montreal’s Bell Centre. Jordan Miller, the singer for Juno Award-winning rock band The Beaches, was overwhelmed by the raucous crowd as they passionately sang along with her while she performed the Canadian national anthem. In a post on the band’s TikTok, Miller expressed her gratitude for the experience, stating that she could barely hear herself sing due to the loud and supportive audience.

The outpouring of patriotism continued when Canada faced off against the U.S. at Bell Centre on Saturday evening. The pre-game atmosphere was electric, with both anthems receiving enthusiastic responses from the crowd. This display of national pride caught many off guard, as Canadians are not typically known for overt displays of patriotism.

Peter Kuitenbrouwer, a journalist and author, noted that this level of raw patriotism is unusual for Canadians, who tend to be more reserved in their expressions of national pride. Despite this, the overwhelming support for O Canada during recent sporting events reflects a deep-seated need for Canadians to show their love and devotion to their country, especially in the face of external pressures.

The anthem controversies have sparked debates about the relevance of national anthems at sporting events. Some have suggested that instrumental-only versions should be played instead of having singers perform. However, Kuitenbrouwer believes that the anthem ritual is more important than ever, as it provides a sense of unity and belonging for Canadians in uncertain times.

Overall, the recent displays of patriotism at sporting events in Canada serve as a powerful reminder of the country’s values and identity. Despite the political challenges faced by the nation, the shared experience of singing the national anthem together brings Canadians together in a moment of collective pride and solidarity.