‘We are not for sale’: Michael Bublé sets patriotic tone at Junos as artists boast of Canadian pride

By Canadian Press on March 30, 2025.

VANCOUVER — Michael Bublé handed Canadians a heartfelt dose of patriotism at the Juno Awards on Sunday, setting the tone for a night of not-so-subtle references to Canada’s current tensions with the United States.

The Vancouver crooner jumped into his role as hometown Junos host by telling the crown he was proud to be Canadian.

“We are the greatest nation on earth,” he said during his opening monologue. “And we are not for sale.”

Other musicians leaned into Canadiana, including East Coast hero Anne Murray.

Dressed in a sequined red hockey jersey with “Canada” emblazoned across the front, she accepted a lifetime achievement award, before shifting her speech to how early in her career she was pressured to move to New York or Los Angeles.

“I just couldn’t do it,” she said.

“I knew instinctively I needed a place to go, to escape when my work was done. Canada is my safe haven. My safety blanket. My light at the end of the tunnel — it still is.”

Other winners of the night were even more overt with their message.

Fan choice winner bbno$, the social media star and rapper, expressed his shock at beating out major names like Tate McRae and Shawn Mendes for the prize, but closed his remarks with a political jab.

“Elon Musk is a piece of garbage,” bbno$ shouted, referencing the Tesla CEO and senior adviser to U.S. president Donald Trump.

A few moments later, Arkells frontman Max Kerman seconded the sentiment.

Singer Josh Ross had a more reserved message for the fans after winning country album of the year for “Complicated.”

“I think it’s time to get back to our Canadian roots and remember that friends are better than enemies,” he said from the stage.

Other winners included Toronto band the Beaches, who picked up group of the year.

Palestinian-Canadian Nemahsis added to her Juno wins, being named this year’s breakthrough artist, which added to her win for alternative album at a pre-broadcast show on Saturday night.

“I’ve been wearing a hijab for 20-plus years,” she said.

“All I ever wanted was to turn on Family Channel or YTV and just see somebody who looks like me. I didn’t think it would take this long.”

Producer Boi-1da, born Matthew Samuels, accepted his international achievement Juno award with a heartfelt speech that reflected on his start as a bedroom music producer and the hard work ethic that eventually paid off.

He shouted out rapper Drake, who he called “the greatest artist of all time.”

“We started this together; we did this together,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2025.

David Friend, The Canadian Press