'O Canada' Could Become Gender Neutral After House of Commons Vote

Players of Canada line up for their national Anthem prior the Men's World Olympic Qualification game between Japan and Canada at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on June 4, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan. (Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

Friday, 17 June 2016 03:17 PM EDT ET

The Canadian national anthem, "O Canada," is one step closer to becoming gender neutral after a House of Commons vote this week.

According to The Associated Press, the legislation to change "O Canada" still requires the approval of the Senate. The bill changes the second line of the anthem from "true patriot love, in all thy sons command" to "in all of us command." 

It passed 225-74 Wednesday in the House of Commons.

The change was proposed by ailing Liberal lawmaker Mauril Belanger, who was diagnosed last November with Lou Gehrig's disease and may not live to see it become law.

As the vote began, Liberal lawmakers stood and applauded Belanger, who sat in the House in his wheelchair. Belanger's disease is a particularly aggressive version of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS.

The opposition Conservatives opposed the bill.

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The Canadian national anthem, "O Canada," is one step closer to becoming gender neutral after a House of Commons vote this week.
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Friday, 17 June 2016 03:17 PM
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