US national anthem jeered prior to NBA, NHL matches in Canada despite tariff suspension

Fans in Canada expressed their discontent by booing the American national anthem prior to NHL and NBA games on Tuesday night, showcasing lingering frustrations despite a recent 30-day suspension of tariff threats from President Donald Trump against both Mexico and Canada.

At Rogers Arena in Vancouver, the sound of booing was prominent as singer Elizabeth Irving began performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the NHL matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and the Colorado Avalanche. Once she concluded the anthem, the audience shifted their emotions to applause, which grew as Irving transitioned to singing “O Canada.”

This display of discontent was not unique to Vancouver; it also occurred in a couple of other arenas. At the NBA game featuring the Toronto Raptors against the New York Knicks, some attendees joined in booing during the U.S. anthem. Nevertheless, the reactions did not match the volume or intensity of the booing witnessed before a game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

As seen in prior instances, Raptors fans offered substantial cheers for “O Canada,” particularly relishing the lyric “True North strong and free!” In Winnipeg, when the NHL’s Jets faced off against the Carolina Hurricanes, the booing of the American anthem was subdued at first, but volume increased as the performance neared its conclusion.

The trend of booing “The Star-Spangled Banner” was noted over the weekend as well, with similar reactions at NHL games in cities such as Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver—coinciding with Trump’s threats regarding import tariffs on Canada. This sentiment reflects ongoing tensions and the complex relationship between the two neighboring countries.