Winnipeg Disrespects National Anthem With “True North” Shout-Out

Said to have started with one single voice back in 2011, it’s now the norm to shout “true north” during the fifth line of the Canadian national anthem at “the true north strong and free”. Following the shout-out, a classless ring of cheers break out.

According to “The Manitoban“, the official University of Manitoba newspaper,

Canada’s national anthem can be heard at every game the Winnipeg Jets play. At home, and sometimes away, crowds full of enthusiastic fans shout “True North” much louder than they sing the rest of the words. This is followed by cheering. The “Shout out” is intended to acknowledge the contribution of True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd. (TNSE) to Winnipeg – the return of a professional hockey franchise. The “Shout out” devalues the anthem. True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd. did not orchestrate this custom, nor have they actively encouraged its progression. The tradition came to life soon after the Atlanta Thrashers franchise was bought by TNSE and the NHL returned to Winnipeg. The current phenomenon purportedly began with one voice at the Jets’ first season opener back in 2011.

Below is a video by Global News regarding this phenomena (for those who haven’t seen or heard it before):



Having pride in the group of investors that brought hockey back to Winnipeg is one thing, but honouring those people by disrespecting the national anthem in a way that no other professional sports organization ever has is wrong.

There’s a reason they ask people to remove their hats and stand up during the anthem. The same reason people will place their hand over their hearts. Why did we as children, just as kids do today, stand up every morning in silence for the national anthem? It’s a symbol of patriotism, and respect to the fallen that helped make “The True North strong and free”. Not that you can hear that over the cheers that rain down when Winnipeg disrespects our national anthem by cheering after paying tribute to a corporate company.

Yes, a handful of teams like Dallas or Chicago yell “Red” or “Stars” and other similar things, along with other teams around the league. It’s one thing to do what those fan bases do, but it’s another to interrupt a line in the Canadian national anthem dedicated to those who fought for our freedom. There’s no direct comparison between what Winnipeg Jets fans do compared to any other fan base during national anthems. We’re talking about shouting “true north” to pay homage to a corporate entity near the beginning of the anthem. This isn’t like cheering out of pride towards the end of a national anthem, or yelling something patriotic.

There’s simply no comparison with Dallas fans yelling “Stars” to support their team. It’s not like they’re yelling “Northland”to support their owners. Clear difference between paying tribute to a corporate owner during a national anthem, compared to cheers or team support showing patriotism. Can fans not find another way to pay homage to True North Sports and Entertainment? Support can be shown through the community, even purchasing tickets, merchandise, etc. The alternative is to shout True North followed by a course of cheers during the Canadian national anthem. Have we already forgotten what national anthems symbolize? A lot of brave people gave their lives to make sure we could enjoy the freedom we have today. The national anthem is our way of giving back and showing our respect. I don’t remember True North Sports and Entertainment being on the front-lines fighting for the freedom we enjoy today.

From the Manitoban,

Freedom is as much at the core of being Canadian as respect. I am not attacking people’s right to free speech. It is proper that the choice of whether or not to interrupt the anthem is, as the Government of Canada holds, “left to the good citizenship of individuals.” True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd. is a corporation; to purchase their products, be they tickets or Jets paraphernalia, is to be appropriately supportive of the organization. To scream support during Jets games or at nearly any other time is just fine. The benefits TNSE has brought to Winnipeggers quite rightly inspires more than just brand loyalty. The True North Foundation runs numerous charitable events where Winnipeggers can further reward and encourage the behaviour of the organization. These build community. Participation in hockey culture and community building events comes at no cost to Canadian values. The custom of interrupting the anthem in favour of cheering for a corporate entity undermines Canadian values.

Winnipeg has much to be grateful for, in respect to True North Sports and Entertainment. But, there’s other ways that help honour the group, that doesn’t disparage our Canadian national anthem. If Winnipeg makes a deep playoff run with millions of impressionable American and Canadian children/youth watching, the message being sent is that interrupting a national anthem is fine. Are you okay with this type of behaviour, or does it bother you how Winnipeg disrespects national anthem?