Manitoba MLAs weigh proposal for daily singing of O Canada at legislature

Manitoba's MLAs may soon be showing off their pipes — and their Canadian pride — on every legislative sitting day.

Elected members appear poised to ask the legislature's rules committee to study an Opposition Progressive Conservative proposal to have O Canada sung every day that the legislature sits.

In advance of the resolution being debated Thursday morning, interim PC Leader Wayne Ewasko told question period the "daily onslaught of U.S. and Chinese tariffs" has shown "it is important that we all recognize the important things that make us Canadian and part of the Commonwealth."

The governing party wouldn't say if it endorses the daily singing of the national anthem, but NDP House leader Nahanni Fontaine sounded receptive when she told reporters the national anthem is commonly heard inside and outside the legislature.

"We sing O Canada when our bills receive royal assent. We sing O Canada when we're at games. We sing O Canada all the time," she said.

"We're all very proud."

'Permanent symbol' of pride

Fontaine said it was only a few days ago the government addressed American threats to Canada's sovereignty by hosting a "rally for Canada" event in front of the giant Canadian flag draped over the legislative building.

"We're standing up for our country," she said.

The text of the PC resolution reads that singing the national anthem every day would be a "permanent symbol of collective Canadian pride."

It suggests the national anthem be sung after the daily prayer and land acknowledgement.

Ewasko called on the NDP to support the resolution during question period Wednesday.

"It's important that we educate our children and the youth on our Canadian history, our traditions and our heritage," he said.

While the Tories are asking legislators to unanimously support the resolution, the debate isn't necessary.

Traditionally, party House leaders meet privately to discuss potential rule changes, which are then referred to the standing committee on rules of the House.

The committee is chaired by the Speaker of the House, and includes the NDP and Progressive Conservative House leaders, as well as the legislature's only Liberal member.

In the Manitoba Legislature, O Canada and God Save the King are traditionally sung on two occasions: after the throne speech at the start of each session, and following the royal assent ceremony at the end of each session.

Provincial legislators have shown a willingness in recent years to make adjustments to the traditional opening of legislative sitting days.

The province adopted a land acknowledgement in 2021, while the current NDP government first expressed an interest in 2024 in making the daily prayer more inclusive of people who practise faiths other than Christianity and those with no faith at all. Any changes to the prayer must also be referred to the rules committee.

In Ottawa, the national anthem is sung on a weekly basis when the House of Commons is sitting.