The Royal Canadian Navy's Stadacona Band traditionally plays Heart of Oak when warships leave and return to their home ports./PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Royal Canadian Navy considers dropping traditional marching song over diversity issues

The marching song Heart of Oak is under fire for 'language that does not align with values and ethos of today’s Royal Canadian Navy'

by · National Post

The Royal Canadian Navy is coming under fire for steering away from its official march, Heart of Oak, because the centuries-old anthem contains references to colonialism and slavery, and doesn’t represent everyone who wears the uniform, including women and Francophones.

“The Heart of Oak was written in 1759,” said Defence Minister Bill Blair, who took questions about ditching the British march Friday at the Halifax International Security Forum.

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