The Canadian national anthem, O Canada, will be played after the land acknowledgement at every city council meeting starting June 9.
The motion was brought forward by Coun. Carla Delaurier, who felt the council chamber could do more to honour the country.
“The national anthem is a long-standing tradition observed at schools, hockey games and other community meetings,” said Delaurier.
“The time it takes to honour our country through this observation is less than two minutes. I think it’s a minute 14 was the one I just listened to. In light of our country’s renewed and growing patriotism, I respectfully bring this motion forward.”
Coun. Patrick Boyle said he had no issue with playing O Canada if it contributes to national pride.
“I’m not sure what American councils do, but the national anthem and the flag in the United States is played everywhere. I guess in the state of things, maybe this helps with more of that Canadian pride. So, for me, it’s an extra minute and a half, so I think it’s not a huge impact,” Boyle said.
The motion passed 5–2, with councillors Dawn Luhning and Heather Eby opposed.
Eby recalled a few years ago when the city clerk would recite an invocation before each meeting, but the practice was discontinued because council felt it was a place of business and the invocation was inappropriate. While not wanting to come across as unpatriotic, Eby said playing the national anthem at a business meeting wasn’t appropriate either.
“This is really hard. I just feel like we’re pretty much cornered into—if you vote against this, you’re going to be lambasted. I just don’t actually think it’s necessary. I really don’t. Not that I don’t love my country—I absolutely do. I just do not feel that this is necessary in a business meeting,” Eby said.
Luhning echoed those sentiments. She said she loves her country just as much as anyone else, but O Canada doesn’t need to be played at a business meeting.
“I, too, have a Canadian flag on my house. I’ve had it for probably two months, and I also do not believe that we need to sing the national anthem at a business meeting,” Luhning said.
“We have three flags that stand behind us when we are in the sanctum of the chambers—the Canadian flag, the provincial flag and the City of Moose Jaw flag—and I believe that is enough.”
Mayor James Murdock asked for clarification, saying he had heard Saskatoon played the national anthem before its council meetings.
City clerk Tracy Wittke confirmed that Saskatoon is the only one of the 16 cities in the province that plays the national anthem.