The Tragically Hip said permission was not required by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to play its music at an event. .“We did not have the full details in our earlier posts — and now consider this matter resolved,” said the Tragically Hip in a Monday tweet. .Tragically Hip fan Doug Subaru asked if the band knew about the music playing in the background at the Poilievre event. .“Do @thehipofficial know that @PierrePoilievre is using their music at his event in Hamilton today?” said Subaru. .A video of an interaction with independent journalist Caryma Sa’d and a Conservative political staffer named John has Fifty Mission Cap by the Tragically Hip playing in the background. .“Come over here so I can talk to you,” said John. .John pulls Sa’d aside and welcomes her to the event. She said she is “never here to disrupt.” .Tragically Hip guitarist Paul Langlois said the band was unaware of the music being used. .“We certainly did not know this — highly offensive if true (we'll wait to make sure and potentially confirm this) and if so, this will be stopped,” said Langlois. .The Tragically Hip said it has been “our expectation that brands, political parties, or public figures wishing to use our music for a campaign first seek our approval.” When it began to see posts and tweets from the event, it said the particulars were unclear. .“It has now been confirmed that Saturday’s event took place in a venue licensed by SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada), which means the venue pays a fee to ensure artists and musicians are compensated appropriately when music is played on site,” it said.
