Scott Youmans, a man who embodies Canadian pride, encountered an astonishing roadblock on a Monday morning in Nathan Phillips Square. He wasn’t engaging in any illicit activity, wasn’t causing a disturbance – he simply wanted to play Canada’s national anthem. Yet, security guards, backed by a police officer, silenced him.
The reason? A rarely enforced municipal bylaw prohibiting amplification devices. This wasn’t about noise levels or disruption; it was about suppressing a patriotic expression. In four decades of reporting, one journalist had never witnessed such a thing – a citizen prevented from playing “O Canada” in a public square.
Youmans, a 58-year-old former driver with a disability pension, was accompanied by his Canadian husky medical service dog, Freedom. He was left reeling, confused by the abrupt intervention just before a scheduled Palestinian flag-raising. “It was surreal,” he recalled, “I saw no reason for it. It’s our anthem.”
The city’s justification hinges on section 237-3 of its bylaws, forbidding the use of amplification without explicit permission. Police confirmed they assisted security in enforcing this “no-amplification order.” But the selective enforcement is what truly stings.
For months, even years, authorities have largely turned a blind eye to other activities in the square – protests that have become disruptive, even aggressive. Journalists have been physically assaulted, antisemitic rhetoric has filled the air, and calls to prayer have echoed through the streets, all without similar intervention. Yet, a simple rendition of “O Canada” was deemed unacceptable.
The incident sparked a profound sense of disillusionment in Youmans. He spoke of feeling “heartbroken, and even totally terrified that I’m watching the collapse of our great nation in real time.” It wasn’t merely about the flag-raising; it was about a perceived erosion of Canadian identity.
But Youmans refused to be silenced. He, along with others present, immediately launched into an a cappella version of the anthem. There’s no bylaw against singing, and the sound of united voices filled the square. Police acknowledged the anthem continued, albeit without the speaker.
“I am just Canada first. I am Canada always,” Youmans declared, his patriotism unwavering. He wasn’t solely protesting the flag-raising; he believes no foreign flag should fly at City Hall. He’d even reacted similarly when the anthem’s lyrics were altered at a recent World Series game.
The irony isn’t lost on observers like Caryma Sa’d, a journalist and lawyer, who pointed out the sound from Youmans’ speaker was barely audible even before reaching the flag-raising location. Toronto, it seems, has become remarkably tolerant of certain expressions while actively suppressing others.
For Youmans, the incident represents a disturbing trend. He fears a Canada where patriotic displays are demonized, where expressing love for one’s country is met with accusations of fascism and racism. He believes the very foundations of Canadian culture and identity are under attack.
This wasn’t simply a dispute over a speaker; it was a stark illustration of a double standard, a chilling moment that left one man questioning the future of the nation he loves. It was a moment that resonated far beyond Nathan Phillips Square, sparking a debate about freedom of expression and the very soul of Canada.
