Canadian teams remove American flags from arenas as tension keeps rising between Canada and USA

For weeks now, it has been an added element to most NHL games : the national anthems and whether one or both will be booed. It’s happened as tensions continue to flare between the nations after U.S. President Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canada. Trump also suggested the country could become America’s ‘51st state’, prompting backlash from a close neighbour and longtime ally.

Tensions also went up a notch in the sports world when Team Canada beat the Americans in overtime at the 4 nations tournament. The actions of the American leaders only got people, especially in Canada, fed up and dumbfounded by his behaviour.

Others have decided to take a stand. Mayor Carolyn Parrish made of the City of Mississauga has announced over the weekend that American flags will be removed from a number of locations across the city, including sports arenas.

“At the request of many, the City has begun to remove all American flags from sports arenas and locations along Lake Ontario, including the pier at Snug Harbour in Port Credit,” Parrish wrote.

“Oversized Canadian flags are ordered and will be installed on all the poles at City Hall.”

Some believe other Canadian venues could follow suit. The mayor of Barrie recenlty ordered U.S. flags be removed from municipal buildings, including arenas, while West Lincoln Township council voted to do the same in that region in February.