Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Photo: Manuel Velasquez / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images
Canada’s Senate passed a bill this week that changes a line in “O Canada” in a step that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said was “another positive step towards gender equality.” CBC News reports. This is the first time a proposal to change the language in the anthem has been successful.
The change: "O Canada! / Our home and native land! / True patriot love in all thy sons command" will now read "True patriot love in all of us command"
The move has been in the works for years:
- It passed the House of Commons in 2016 and then spent 18 months under debate in the Senate.
- Liberal MP Mauril Bélanger, who died in 2016, first introduced the bill.
- Ontario Sen. Frances Lankin, the sponsor of the bill, moved to end debate on the bill this Tuesday, a move many Conservative members of Parliament claimed was an anti-democratic move. Conservative Member of Parliament Bob Saroya tweeted he was "Dissapointed [sic] to hear the Liberals changed our national anthem. Somethings [sic] just shouldn't change.”
Up next: Canada's Olympians and fans will sing the changed version at the Winter Olympics next month.