In an unprecedented display of national sentiment, Canadian sports fans across the country have taken to booing the United States national anthem at various sporting events. This widespread reaction follows the potential onset of a trade war between Canada and the United States, ignited by recent executive orders from U.S. President Donald Trump. Over the weekend, these orders threatened to impose increased tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. Although an agreement reached on Monday temporarily paused these tariffs for a month, fans' reactions underscored the ongoing tensions.
The booing incidents were reported at several Canadian venues, including Vancouver's Rogers Arena, Winnipeg's Canada Life Centre, Toronto's Scotiabank Arena, and Ottawa's Canadian Tire Centre. At Rogers Arena, during a game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Colorado Avalanche, anthem singer Elizabeth Irving was met with boos as she began singing "The Star-Spangled Banner." The crowd's reaction highlighted their discontent with the looming trade tensions.
A similar scene unfolded in Winnipeg, where Jets fans expressed their disapproval during a game against the Carolina Hurricanes. In Ottawa, the Canadian Tire Centre witnessed fans booing before the Senators secured a 6-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild. The protests were not limited to hockey. At Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, fans also showed their dissatisfaction during a Raptors game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
On Monday night in Nashville, American fans responded in kind. Before the Predators faced off against the Ottawa Senators, they cheered the U.S. national anthem, adding another layer to the cross-border sporting narrative.
The responses from Canadian fans seemed to be fueled by frustrations over the trade uncertainties between the two countries. Despite the pause in tariffs following talks on Monday, the initial threats had already struck a chord among Canadian sports enthusiasts. The ongoing diplomatic tensions were reflected in the stands as games unfolded across various Canadian cities.
Elizabeth Irving's performance at Rogers Arena concluded with applause as she transitioned to "O Canada," a moment that saw emotions shift from protest to patriotism. Meanwhile, in Toronto, Raptors fans repeated their anthem protests for the second time in a week, having similarly reacted before a previous game.
