It will take a little while for Red Deer–Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen to get used to the new O Canada lyrics.
A one-line revision of the national anthem became official Wednesday, just a day ahead of Winter Olympics in South Korea. The second line of the English version of the anthem “in all thy sons command” has been changed to “in all of us command.”
Dreeshen said he is disappointed to see the change because 90 per cent of Canadians voted against it, when the change came up in 2010.
“They didn’t support it then and what we are seeing is they don’t support it now,” he said.
Dreeshen did not support the change but he will abide by the lyrics. Although, it will take some time to get used to, he said.
“I sing our anthem from the heart, not from my head, so I’m bound to make a few mistakes for a while,” he said.
He said because the change came through a private member’s bill, there was “very little opportunity for discussion.”
Former Liberal MP Mauril Belanger, who was diagnosed with ALS, worked towards the change for several years. He died in 2016.
The Senate passed Bill C-210 in January and the bill received royal assent Wednesday making the new wording official.
Lucas Gagnon, spokesperson at Trans and Non-Binary Aid Society in Central Alberta, said he doesn’t understand why people would be opposed to the change.
“I am almost confused why people would be fighting this,” said the 26-year-old.
He said he likes the fact that the new lyrics are inclusive and including everyone is what makes it patriotic.
“If people have a problem with gender neutral language that’s something that’s reflective of what people with gender neutral pronouns actually experience,” Gagnon said.
Gagnon said Tanas has an online support group with about 130 people including friends and family who talk about issues pertaining to genders.
Between the group and Gagnon’s friends circle, he has learned that Central Albertans who use pronouns like “they” and “them” sometimes have a hard time being respected in society.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter