Canada’s The Tenors are now three. Permanently.
The singing group announced Monday that they are officially parting ways with Remigio Pereira, the now-ex-Tenor who famously altered O Canada at last summer’s MLB All-Star Game.
READ MORE: “Lone wolf” Tenor Remigio Pereira apologizes for “all lives matter” O Canada lyrics
The trio announced the news to their Facebook page, along with the announcement that they’ll be singing O Canada at next Sunday’s Grey Cup game in Toronto. The remaining group members — Clifton Murray, Fraser Walters and Victor Micallef — are likely viewing the event as a chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of Canadians after Pereira’s gaffe.
While singing a solo verse of the anthem in July, Pereira changed the lyrics “With glowing hearts we see thee rise/the True North strong and free,” to “We’re all brothers and sisters/all lives matter to the great.”
He also held up a sign bearing the message “all lives matter” on one side and”united we stand” on the other, while standing alongside his fellow Tenors on the field.
In a video he posted shortly after the incident, an emotional Pereira says he knows O Canada is revered, and he wasn’t intending to disrespect the anthem, the people of Canada, or “the people who have fallen for this country to be free.”
WATCH BELOW: Remigio Pereira apologizes for O Canada lyric change
He says those who were offended by his “all lives matter” message should know that he’s not a racist, noting that he grew up in a multicultural environment. He also apologized directly to members of the Black Lives Matter movement who were offended by his actions.
At the time, social media lit up with widespread derision of Pereira’s unanticipated move, while the other three Tenor members distanced themselves from him, saying in a statement that he acted as a “lone wolf.”
Indeed, the three members are moving onwards and upwards without Pereira. This is the second time The Tenors will sing O Canada at the Grey Cup, but it’s the first time as a group of three.
READ MORE: Who is Remigio Pereira, the former Tenor who changed O Canada lyrics to add ‘All Lives Matter’?
“Clifton, Fraser and Victor of the Tenors are superbly talented and proudly Canadian, and we’re looking forward to having them sing Canada’s national anthem,” said CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge.
The Ottawa Redblacks will face off against the Calgary Stampeders at Toronto’s BMO Field in the 104th CFL Grey Cup.
American pop band OneRepublic will perform at the halftime show, while Canadian chanteuse Alessia Cara will headline the kickoff show.
With files from The Canadian Press
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