TORONTO — At a recent Toronto Raptors game, spectators exhibited a growing trend by booing the American national anthem, reflecting discontent at pro sporting events across Canada. This incident followed similar protests at NHL games held over the weekend in Ottawa and Calgary, in response to President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of tariffs targeting Canada.
Initially, the crowd had cheered for a young singer as she began her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” However, as the performance continued, the atmosphere shifted dramatically, with fans booing throughout the anthem. Once it concluded, a mix of boos and applause filled the arena, but the mood quickly changed again as they celebrated the Canadian anthem, “O Canada,” with loud cheers.
The trend continued on the same evening in Vancouver, where fans expressed their discontent during the American national anthem before a match between the Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings. Notably, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane acknowledged the crowd’s reaction, implying that it could be partially understood given the current situation, and noted that this sentiment was becoming more prevalent within the league.
The backdrop to these events includes Trump’s recent declaration of an economic emergency, which led to the implementation of a 25% tax on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10% tax on imports from China. This includes a taxation rate on Canadian energy resources like oil and electricity. As a result, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico’s president announced plans for retaliatory tariffs on American goods.
Post-game, Raptors player Chris Boucher, a Canadian citizen, was asked if he had previously witnessed such protests. He replied that he had not, although he pointed out that the situation surrounding tariffs was a significant factor.
Joseph Chua, a local Toronto resident at the game, expressed concern about how the tariffs would directly affect his work as an importer, admitting that the situation made him feel uncomfortable about the protests. Chua opted to remain seated during the American anthem rather than booing. “I have many friends and family in the U.S., and I believe a chant of ‘Canada’ would have been a more respectful stance,” he stated, also mentioning that he was intentionally wearing a Canada Basketball cap.
He highlighted discussions among friends about the need to support Canadian businesses and be cautious about American products, particularly while grocery shopping. Historically, booing the U.S. national anthem in Canada has been infrequent but has occurred in the past, especially during significant global events such as the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in the early 2000s.
Clippers’ star player Kawhi Leonard, who contributed to the Raptors’ 2019 championship win, alongside coach Tyronn Lue, refrained from commenting on the booing episode. Nonetheless, Lue joined in singing “O Canada,” indicating his fondness for the anthem, recounting that he had heard it numerous times during playoff games in Toronto. He noted that he had become quite familiar with the song.
