Canadian MPs Support Gender-Neutral Change In National Anthem ‘O Canada’

There will be slight changes in the lyrics of Canada’s national anthem. MPs have voted for it to make the English language version of the ‘O Canada’ more gender neutral.

After the change the phrase “in all thy sons command” will become “in all of us command.”

The bill C-210 for change in ‘O Canada’ national anthem was tabled by MP Mauril Belanger who is currently suffering from an incurable disease and was seated in his wheelchair in the House. He is from the governing Liberal Party.

Even the current prime minister had talked about such gender inclusivity during his election campaign last year in October.

MPs applauded Belanger after the vote and the bill will now go to the Senate.

However, it is not very clear whether the change will happen this summer and it is feared Belanger may not live by then as he has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which means the Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Earlier in 2010 the Conservatives had rejected a similar proposal of change.

The English version of the anthem’s lyrics from French version was written in 1908 and originally reads:

O Canada

Our home and native land!

True patriot’s love in all thy sons command…

After the change it will read:

O Canada

Our home and native land!

True patriot’s love in all of us command…