OTTAWA — Liberal MP Mauril Belanger is losing his own singing voice but that's not stopping him from trying — for a second time — to change the English lyrics to O Canada to make the national anthem more gender neutral.
The veteran Ottawa MP, whose vocal chords have been weakened by Lou Gehrig's disease, is determined to end the song's inference that patriotism is something felt exclusively by men.
Hence, soon after Parliament resumes work today, he intends to table a private member's bill that would alter two words, changing the second line of the anthem from true patriot love "in all thy sons command" to "in all of us command."
Belanger introduced an identical bill in the last session of Parliament; it was defeated at second reading last April by a close vote of 144-127.
At the time, MPs from all the opposition parties supported the change but almost all Conservative MPs voted against it.
With the Liberals now in the majority, Belanger should have little trouble finally ensuring that women feel equally included in the national anthem.
Passage of the bill would be a fitting legacy for Belanger, who was diagnosed just a month after the Oct. 19 federal election with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It is an incurable, progressive, neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness, paralysis and, eventually, respiratory failure.
"I remain committed to proposing this legislative initiative," Belanger said in a recent posting on his Facebook page.
MORE National ARTICLES
Ontario Police Ticket 80-Year-Old Man For Too Much Snow On His Car, Then Help Clear Snow
BRUSSELS, Ont. — An 80-year-old is paying the price after police say he cut corners clearing the snow from his car.
Ontario Police Ticket 80-Year-Old Man For Too Much Snow On His Car, Then Help Clear Snow
Surrey Search For A Wig-Wearing Suspected Bank Robber Has Ended With His Arrest
Police asked for public help identifying the man following the heist at a financial institution near the Guildford Town Centre on Dec. 29
Surrey Search For A Wig-Wearing Suspected Bank Robber Has Ended With His Arrest
B.C. Health Minister Says Feds To Join Province's Bulk-Buy Drug Alliance
VICTORIA — The federal Liberal government is set to join other Canadian provinces and territories in a bulk-buying drug program that aims to lower the cost of prescription medications.
B.C. Health Minister Says Feds To Join Province's Bulk-Buy Drug Alliance
Mother Of Burkina Faso Victim Urges Justin Trudeau To Step Up Terror Fight
The six Quebecers were among those killed in an al-Qaida attack last Friday.
Mother Of Burkina Faso Victim Urges Justin Trudeau To Step Up Terror Fight
B.C. Wrestles With Real Estate Taxes To Cool Rising Housing Prices
Finance Ministry forecasts that the province could lose $1 billion in sales and up to 4,000 construction jobs
B.C. Wrestles With Real Estate Taxes To Cool Rising Housing Prices
Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau Belts Out A Tune At City Hall Event In Ottawa
The prime minister's wife was a guest speaker at the city's annual Martin Luther King Day event, but decided to go beyond simple remarks.