Barenaked Ladies set to sing O Canada at Buffalo Bills home opener tonight
The NFL's Buffalo Bills celebrated their Canadian fans with a game of cross-border catch, from boat to boat, floating along the Niagara River, the same day U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum aimed at removing Canadian-origin goods from U.S. civil service procurement.
The Buffalo Bills play the Detroit Lions in their 2026 home opener Thursday at 8 p.m. ET
Conrad Collaco · CBC News
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On the day the White House said U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum to identify Canadian-origin goods in federal civil government procurement for the purpose of removing them, the NFL's Buffalo Bills celebrated their Canadian fans with a game of cross-border catch, from boat to boat, floating along the Niagara River.
Trump's memorandum signed Wednesday is the latest move in an escalating trade war between Canada and the U.S. after talks fell apart last month. It came a week after he banned the import of Canadian alcohol, motorcycles and various other products into the U.S.
Trump signs memorandum to identify and remove Canadian products from U.S. federal procurement
Buffalo Bills to 'celebrate' O Canada at home opener amid more Trump threats during trade war
For the Bills, it's the latest effort to celebrate their Canadian fans in advance of their home opener tonight at 8 p.m. E.T., the first ever regular-season game at the team's new Highmark Stadium in Buffalo.
On Wednesday, the team posted a video on social media platform X showing retired Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and retired wide receiver Stevie Johnson complete a few cross-border catches along the Niagara River, tossing to each other from aboard distant ferries.
Niagara Parks, the Ontario agency that manages the Canadian side of the Niagara River, said in a news release on Wednesday that the successful boat to boat passes "will be aired during NFL on Prime’s broadcast of the Buffalo Bills first 2026 home game on Thursday, September 17."
Barenaked Ladies will sing O Canada
In the release, Kate Hussmann, Buffalo Bills Chief Strategy Officer, said “we’re thrilled to be part of such a unique event and to celebrate the connection we share with Bills fans across Southern Ontario. The passion and support we feel from our Canadian fans is incredible, and we look forward to continuing to deepen those relationships and create memorable experiences together for years to come.”
The agency said the Bills "participate in the NFL’s Global Markets Program, which grants the franchise official international marketing and fan engagement rights in Canada."
Last week, the team said on social media platform X that both O Canada and The Star-Spangled Banner will be performed before Thursday's home opener against the Detroit Lions and that the team "will celebrate the American and Canadian anthems during pregame." Actress and singer Auliʻi Cravalho will perform the American anthem and Toronto band Barenaked Ladies will sing O Canada.
The Canadian national anthem is rarely heard before NFL games, but it's commonly played before National Hockey League games in Buffalo, even when the Sabres are up against American opponents. In April, fans at KeyBank Center in Buffalo sang O Canada after a microphone failed before the Sabres' playoff game against the Boston Bruins.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Conrad Collaco is a CBC News producer for CBC Hamilton with extensive experience in online, television and radio news. Follow him on Twitter at @ConradCollaco, or email him at conrad.collaco@cbc.ca.
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