"MT @JillKrop “change lyrics to Canada’s national anthem ?” @WilliamShatner “in ALL OF US command” works well. Let’s embrace it!"
Raffi Cavoukian, Troubadour, writer, children’s champion
"As a Canadian immigrant, and as a woman, I love the words “all of us”, and I would love to give voice to those words in our beautiful anthem.
O Canada — strong and free, for all of us."
Olivia Chow, former MP, Trinity–Spadina
"If society is so unwilling to change two words in our anthem, how are women supposed to campaign for bigger issues?"
#OurCanada #cdnfem
Sara Ostrowska, Editor-in-chief @TrentArthur
"Restore Our Anthem. Restore the original inclusive wording of O Canada."
#OurCanada
Sandra Hawken Diaz, VP at Canadian Women’s Foundation
Words matter. Tell the Canadian gov't a national
anthem that doesn't recognize women has no place in Canada
Match International, Canadian organization that places
women's rights and empowerment as central to successful and sustained development in the Global South
@Sudbury_Steve I wouldn’t disagree. Also, great Canadian correction. See we should change wording to reflect reality!
Robert Kiley, Green Party of Ontario candidate for Kingston & The Islands. Christian activist.
YES!! RT @YWCAToronto: Will you join @MargaretAtwood @AKimCampbell for a gender-inclusive national anthem?
#OurCanada
Ann Decter, Writer, feminist, activist, director of advocacy & policy at YWCA Canada.
This is a no-brainer. All thy sons? Citisons? All of us, of course. Sing it loud and proud. My wife, sisters, mom, nieces…us.
#OurCanada
Wayne Johnston, Canadian Author
I support this change. One of my first recollections
of the anthem was non-inclusive ‘sons’.
#OurCanada
Ted Mallet, VP & Chief Economist, Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Canada was built on the actions of risk-takers women as well as men. This is our real heritage and it should be reflected in the powerful instruments and symbols of national consciousness. Gender differentiation in this context is a thing of the past.
Belinda Stronach, President and CEO of The Stronach Group, founder and chair of the Belinda Stronach Foundation and a former Member of Parliament
Our national anthem should reflect the women and men who have led and sacrificed to shape our history ‘sing all of us’ is right about what needs to be done.
Senator Hugh Segal, Canadian Senator
The momentum building to have our beloved national anthem reflect our reality is something we should all support, especially when it is the original words we are trying to support. It turns out the original language of the 19th century spoke directly to the 21st, so let’s unite our past to our future and let’s do it. Now!
John Fraser, Master of Massey College
Canada is just two words away from an anthem of equality and inclusion. This is our chance to reflect all our nation’s people.
Ramon Lumpkin, PhD, President and Vice-Chancellor Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax
I very much support the campaign to change the words of O Canada back to its gender neutral words. As much as possible in our society we should strive to treat men and women as equals.
Paul Copeland, CM, LSM
The time is right to make our National Anthem inclusive with a simple return to the original lyrics.
Margie McCain, Former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick
Perhaps the best argument for bringing O Canada into the 21st century is the fact that if our government doesn’t do it, ordinary Canadians will.
Jonathan Kay, National Post
Although Canada’s public schools are trying to eliminate sexism from the curriculum, every morning when “O Canada” is sung in English, half the population is effectively excluded
The New York Times, July 15, 1993
In short, “O Canada” is neither a part of the Canadian Constitution, nor a holy relic discovered in the Canadian Shield. It is, rather, a living document that has been changed to reflect the realities of Canadian culture. Even its original authors recognized that.
The Huffington Post, May 24, 2013
As a singer/songwriter, I can appreciate that words have power. I’ve witnessed the way fans respond and identify with lyrics that speak to them in meaningful ways.
Jully Black, singer
My personal response when I sing the national anthem is that I do not sing that line.It is my own silent protest. I am certain there are many other women who protest that way.
Glenda Simms, president of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women
Canada has a reputation as a country that respects equality of the sexes,
and yet,our National Anthem leaves out more than 50% of our population by
mentioning only "sons" and not daughters. It should include all of "us."
When immigrant women from oppressed countries take the oath for their
Canadian citizenship, and sing the National Anthem, they will be shocked
that there is no equality in Canada either.
Dr. Vivienne Poy, Chancellor Emerita, University of Toronto, Author
"Kudos to @MargaretAtwood for trying to changeCanada’s awful national anthem.
But “sons” is just the beginning…"
Doug Saunders, International-Affairs Columnist, The Globe and Mail
As a singer/songwriter, I can appreciate that words have power. I’ve witnessed the way fans respond and identify with lyrics that speak to them in meaningful ways.
Jully Black, singer
My personal response when I sing the national anthem is that I do not sing that line.It is my own silent protest. I am certain there are many other women who protest that way.
Glenda Simms, president of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women
Canada has a reputation as a country that respects equality of the sexes,
and yet,our National Anthem leaves out more than 50% of our population by
mentioning only "sons" and not daughters. It should include all of "us."
When immigrant women from oppressed countries take the oath for their
Canadian citizenship, and sing the National Anthem, they will be shocked
that there is no equality in Canada either.
Dr. Vivienne Poy, Chancellor Emerita, University of Toronto, Author
