Fans attending a Toronto Raptors game recently contributed to a growing trend of disapproving reactions during the American national anthem at sporting events in Canada. This behavior was evident as supporters of the NBA’s sole Canadian franchise expressed their displeasure by booing the anthem, following similar occurrences the previous night during NHL games in Ottawa and Calgary. This came just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump officially enacted tariffs on imports from Canada, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
Initially, the 15-year-old singer received cheers, but as “The Star-Spangled Banner” progressed, a wave of boos filled the arena. Upon completion of the anthem, mixed reactions of applause and continued jeering erupted, culminating in a robust cheer for “O Canada,” the national anthem of Canada. A similar scenario played out later that evening in Vancouver, where the crowd expressed their feelings during the American anthem sung by Agasha Mutesasira before an NHL matchup between the Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings.
After the Raptors secured a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, forward Chris Boucher, a Canadian national, was questioned about experiencing something like the booing during the anthem. In response, he humorously acknowledged he had not faced such a situation before, but remarked on the taxation issues, hinting at the ongoing trade tensions. The tariffs announced by Trump indicated an economic emergency, imposing a hefty 25% tax on imports from Canada and Mexico, alongside a 10% tax on Chinese imports, including energy resources from Canada.
In a retaliatory move, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico’s president implemented their own tariffs on American goods. Joseph Chua, a local resident present at the Raptors game, shared that he would directly feel the effects of these tariffs in his work as an importer but didn’t agree with the booing as an appropriate response. Instead of joining in, he opted to remain seated, mentioning his American friends and family. Chua expressed that chanting “Canada” would have been a more fitting way to show support, reflecting his pride in Canadian identity through his red Canada Basketball cap.
He usually stands during both national anthems as a sign of respect, and with the current tensions, Chua mentioned that he and others were considering what products to purchase, specifically avoiding American goods during their grocery shopping. Though booing during the U.S. national anthem is a rare event in Canada, it has occurred in the past, particularly during times of international conflict, such as the early 2000s when Canadian fans booed against the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, who previously helped the Raptors secure an NBA championship in 2019, and head coach Tyronn Lue chose not to comment on the booing incident. However, Lue was seen singing along to the Canadian anthem, indicating his familiarity with the song brought on by playoff experiences in Toronto. He expressed his fondness for “O Canada,” emphasizing how often he has heard it during his time with the team.
