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Barenaked Ladies Perform Bilingual “O Canada” Before Bills-Lions Game

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 12:39 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

Barenaked Ladies performed “O Canada” in English and French before the Bills-Lions game on September 17, 2026.
A giant Canadian flag stood beside the American flag on the field during the anthem.
Bills chief strategy officer Kate Husman said 12 percent of season ticket holders and 15-20 percent of game-day fans are Canadian.
The performance occurred amid an escalating U.S.–Canada trade war after President Donald Trump signed executive orders on September 8, 2026.

History

Historical Context

In March 2018 President Donald Trump invoked Section 232 to impose a 25 percent steel tariff on Canada, prompting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to challenge the move at the WTO. The dispute foreshadowed later North-American trade tensions and renegotiations, culminating in the 2020 USMCA renewal that now frames cultural events as diplomatic signals.

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Story summary

Barenaked Ladies performed “O Canada” in English and French before the Bills-Lions game on September 17, 2026.
A giant Canadian flag stood beside the American flag on the field during the anthem.
Bills chief strategy officer Kate Husman said 12 percent of season ticket holders and 15-20 percent of game-day fans are Canadian.
The performance occurred amid an escalating U.S.–Canada trade war after President Donald Trump signed executive orders on September 8, 2026.

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