On Jan. 31, the Senate passed a bill to change the lyrics to the Canadian national anthem, despite the opposition of some Conservative senators. The new lyrics are now gender neutral to the dismay of some and excitement of others.
Since 1980, 12 bills have been brought to the House of Commons to remove "sons" from the lyric "In all our sons command." It has now been passed.
ElliotLakeToday hit the streets to get reactions from its readers.
Jennifer Lacasse said she believes too many people overthink things and that the lyrics shouldn't have changed.
"I feel like people get way too butt-hurt over stuff nowadays," she said. "It should have stayed the same. Who cares what the lyrics were."
Andre Martin feels the same way as Lacasse, adding that even though people are aware of the change, they will still sing the anthem the way they were taught.
"It's basically one word that changed to satisfy those who want everything to be gender neutral," he said. "Why are people so insulted when gender words are used? To me, it's like I want to tell them to grow up and get over it."
Natalie DesGroseilliers feels that the lyrics should have stayed the same because the anthem made Canadians who they are today.
"Just forget the few who are sensitive," she said, describing how people can be insulted and hurt over a word. "For years, it's been that way. Why should we change something that made us Canada? What's next? They're rewording all the laws. This is crazyness."
Commenting on gender identity, Tasha Nyguen said it was nice to see politicians acknowledge people who are trying to be who they were meant to be.
"It's nice to finally see politicians recognize the fact that there are transgender people, that there are lesbians and that there are gay men out there when it comes to Canadians," she explained, while walking her two year-old poodle. "I'm gay. We're not all sons. There are daughters as well. There are people who are going through the process of being transgender."
Collette Brisebois said that even though she has mixed feelings about the change, she does agree that the word sons should not have been used, explaining that it should have been gender neutral from the beginning.
"To be honest, it should have always been like this since the first time it was written," she explained. "I used to be a teacher down south before moving here for my retirement. If I was still a teacher, I would explain to my students that the lyrics changed just one word and we would have to respect that."
Also believing Canadians are too sensitive, Brian (who would prefer his last name not be used,) stated the lyric change is "ridiculous."
"I think it's ridiculous," he began. "If I recall correctly, they changed it to remove the word 'son' because that somehow didn't involve women. I'm sorry but it's a song and not a gender attack. We're becoming too concerned with small things that are only issues to small groups. A few women had an issue with the wording so the whole country needs to change everything?"
The bill was first introduced by Liberal MP Mauril Belanger in 2016. He passed away later that year. It now must receive royal assent by the Governor General before it officially becomes law.
How do you feel about the change to the lyrics? Please comment below.