TORONTO — During a recent Toronto Raptors game, fans participated in a growing trend of expressing discontent by booing the American national anthem, a phenomenon that has been observed at various sporting events across Canada. This incident followed similar reactions over the weekend at NHL matches held in Ottawa and Calgary, coinciding with the announcement made by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the initiation of tariffs on imports from Canada.
As the performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” commenced, the crowd, which initially applauded the 15-year-old singer, began to express their disapproval with loud boos. The mixed reaction blended with applause reached its peak as the Canadian national anthem, “O Canada,” was sung, causing an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Joseph Chua, a local from Toronto attending the game, felt the impact of the tariffs on his job as an importer, stating that he would be affected “pretty directly.” Nevertheless, he voiced reservations about the booing, opting to remain seated during the anthem. Chua shared his belief that a more respectful form of protest, such as chanting “Canada,” would have been preferable. He emphasized his connection to the U.S., explaining that many of his friends and family are American. In light of the current tensions, he felt a sense of bitterness, which influenced his decision to avoid standing for the anthem as he typically has done in the past.
The imposition of tariffs by President Trump, which includes a 25% tax on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tax on imports from China, has notably stirred feelings of animosity. This includes the taxation of energy imports from Canada, such as oil, natural gas, and electricity, which are set to face a 10% tariff as well. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with Mexico’s president, responded with retaliation, announcing import tariffs on various American goods.
While such booing of the U.S. national anthem has been infrequent in Canada, it is not without precedent, particularly when international circumstances are at play. Similar expressions of disapproval occurred in the early 2000s when Canadian fans reacted negatively to the U.S.-led military actions in Iraq.
Later on, the Vancouver Canucks were scheduled to face the Detroit Red Wings in a Sunday night matchup, further igniting discussions around national sentiments during sporting events.
