Fans at a Toronto Raptors game on Sunday continued an emerging trend of booing the American national anthem at pro sporting events in Canada. This reaction followed similar incidents at NHL games in Ottawa and Calgary the previous night, which occurred shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced import tariffs on Canada.
During the Raptors game, fans initially cheered for the 15-year-old female singer but proceeded to boo throughout “The Star-Spangled Banner” performance. The crowd's reaction was mixed at the end, with both boos and cheers heard before erupting in applause for the Canadian anthem, “O Canada.”
Similar booing occurred at an NHL game in Vancouver when the American national anthem was performed. The ongoing tension stems from Trump's declaration of an economic emergency, imposing tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico’s president announced retaliatory tariffs on American goods.
One Toronto resident, who works as an importer and will be directly impacted by the tariffs, expressed his disapproval of the booing. He chose to remain seated during the anthem, emphasizing the need for a more respectful approach. Despite feeling the effects of the tariffs, he believes chanting “Canada” would have been a more appropriate stance.
The rare occurrence of booing during the U.S. national anthem in Canada has historical precedence, notably during the early 2000s in protest of the U.S.-led war against Iraq. While some individuals are vocal in their disapproval, others, like Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and coach Tyronn Lue, refrained from commenting on the booing. Lue, however, expressed his fondness for “O Canada,” stating that he knows the song by heart from his time in the playoffs.
