The new, gender-neutral lyrics to O Canada are official.
Canadian Heritage Minister Melanie Joly says the one-line revision to the national anthem became law today, one day ahead of the opening of the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
The new wording changes the second line of the anthem’s English version to “in all of us command” from “in all thy sons command.”
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Members of Parliament broke into applause after singing the updated version in the House of Commons a few hours after the bill received royal assent.
-
![]()
Heritage Minister excited to hear Olympians sing gender-neutral anthem -
![]()
‘In all of us command’: Gender neutral changes to ‘O Canada’ approved -
![]()
Gender-neutral ‘O Canada’ receives royal assent making revision law -
![]()
MPs break parliamentary rule to sing gender neutral ‘O Canada’ inside House of Commons -
![]()
Gender neutral wording for Canada’s national anthem sparks debate
Joly says the government will update its materials and spread news of the change at no extra cost.
The update is the culmination of efforts by former Liberal MP Mauril Belanger, who died two years ago, to make the anthem more inclusive.
- China urges Canada to break with U.S. influence ahead of Carney’s visit
- Statistics Canada is slashing hundreds of jobs, including executives
- Sydney, N.S., selected as the preferred maintenance port for new Arctic icebreakers
- B.C. Coastal First Nations say meeting with Carney was ‘productive’, but pipeline position remains
Comments