By Canadian Press

The Tenors to sing O Canada at Grey Cup – without controversial former member

Nov 21, 2016 | 7:00 AM

TORONTO — Canadian opera group The Tenors, who caused a stir with their performance at Major League Baseball’s all-star game last summer, will sing the national anthem at the Grey Cup game on Sunday.

Controversial former member Remigio Pereira will not be taking part.

At the all-star game last July in San Diego, Pereira changed a lyric in O Canada and held up a sign proclaiming “All Lives Matter” during the Victoria group’s performance. 

Pereira unexpectedly sang: “We’re all brothers and sisters. All lives matter to the great.” The actual lyric is, “With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free.”

Pereira, a Boston native who grew up in Gatineau, Que., had “United We Stand” written on the back of his sign.

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The other members of the group — Victor Micallef, Clifton Murray and Fraser Walters — called his actions disrespectful and shameful.

For months the Tenors remained relatively quiet on the matter, though they had all but completely severed ties with Pereira.

On Monday, the group issued a statement on their Facebook page confirming they decided to move ahead without him:

“Our group has always aspired to be a unified voice while bringing inspiration, peace, joy, and love to our audience, but that day we were pulled into a complicated and polarizing conversation — without our knowledge or consent — on what we feel was an inappropriate platform,” the remaining Tenors wrote.

“The decision to move forward as a trio was very difficult for us, but due to a growing series of fundamental differences of personal and professional beliefs over the past year, we find it necessary to continue on our separate paths.”

A representative for the Tenors declined an interview request, saying the band was in studio, while Pereira did not respond to a request for comment.

The Ottawa Redblacks will meet the Calgary Stampeders at Toronto’s BMO Field in the 104th edition of the Canadian Football League’s championship game.

American pop band OneRepublic will perform at the Grey Cup halftime show and Canadian singer Alessia Cara will headline the kickoff show.

It will be the second time singing O Canada at the Grey Cup for the Tenors, who have recorded multiple platinum-selling albums in Canada.

“Clifton, Fraser and Victor of the Tenors are superbly talented and proudly Canadian, and we’re looking forward to having them sing Canada’s national anthem,” said CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge in a statement.

The Juno Award-winning group also performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies, the 2012 Queen’s Jubilee in England and the 2014 Stanley Cup final.

The Canadian Press