As the House of Commons creeps closer to passing a bill that would change ‘O Canada’ to make Canada’s national anthem more gender-neutral, the terminally-ill MP who proposed the motion was serenaded with the new lyrics.
Mauril Belanger was at Ottawa’s annual Walk for ALS on Saturday when a crowd broke out into the version of the anthem he championed, swapping “In all thy son’s command” for “In all of us command.”
It’s those two words Belanger is fighting to change -- a small switch that the Liberals say would make the anthem more inclusive for women.
For the ailing MP, hearing the anthem on Saturday was likely a heartfelt moment, particularly considering the uncertainty as to whether he’ll live to see his proposal pass.
Belanger’s private member’s bill hasn’t gained traction among most Conservative MPs, who have accused the Liberals of using Belanger’s ALS diagnosis to jam through what they consider a significant change to Canadian heritage.
The Conservatives have taken steps to slow down the passage of Bill C-210, including the rejection of two procedural motions in May that would have sped up the process so that Belanger could see the lyric change before he dies.
Still, widespread support from the Liberals, NDP and Green Party member Elizabeth May is expected to give the motion the lift it needs to pass a third reading in the House on Wednesday. The bill will then move on to the Senate.
It’s unclear whether Belanger will live to see the anthem change. His mobility has rapidly deteriorated since he was diagnosed with ALS last fall, and he now uses a wheelchair.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a terminal disease that kills most patients within two to five years.
With files from CTV Ottawa
