EDMONTON -- Alberta Conservative MP Peter Goldring says a bill to amend the Canadian national anthem to be more gender-neutral is "grammatically unnecessary."

"There is nothing wrong with it, and I think it's important to recognize that and be educated that the national anthem is, indeed, inclusive," said Goldring.

MP Mauril Belanger introduced private member's bill Bill C-624 on Monday that would change the lyrics of O Canada from "in all thy sons command" to "in all of us command."

A petition at www.restoreouranthem.ca supports the change.

But Goldring argues the dictionary definition of a "son" is defined as "a person," and, after the 1929 Persons Case was won by the famous five, defining women as persons under the law, women are already included in the the historical definition of sons.

"It is politically correct, it is grammatically correct. 'Sons' used in that context is meaning in a national sense, and it really means persons," Goldring said.

Goldring said he was disappointed to see the issue dragged up in the House of Commons, adding there are better ways to spend valuable debate time.

This is far from the first time politicians have debated the wording of the national anthem. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government threw out its own plan four years ago to change the lyrics of O Canada to be more gender-neutral.

claire.theobald@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @ClaireTheobald