To the Editor,
The visual presentation is professional.
The vocal offering is almost operatic. But one phrase, in the singer’s rendition of the anthem, is incorrect.
I am talking about the singing of our Canadian national anthem prior to Alberni Valley Bulldogs B.C. Hockey League games at the AV Multiplex.
The gentleman does not sing the gender neutral phrase “in all of us command,” which is now in the official version of O Canada.
The singer’s insistence on using the outdated, gender specific “in all thy sons command” version of the anthem is not acceptable.
The lack of respect for country, and for women, in using this version is obvious.
Should this singer be allowed to continue as the presenter of our national anthem at the Multiplex?
Yes, absolutely, with the correct “in all of us” wording.
Should he continue with “in all thy sons command,” I would love to see every woman in the Multiplex sit down at that point in the anthem.
T. Lyman Jardin,
Port Alberni