Despite a cordial meeting with the Legault government, the National Hockey League (LNH) has decided: it has no interest “currently” for a new franchise of the Quebec Nordiques. A “boucane show” in the midst of a pandemic, plague the oppositions.
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“The NHL greatly appreciated our approach and indicated that it is not currently in a position to respond positively to our interest,” Finance Minister Eric Girard said on Twitter, following a one-hour virtual meeting with the commissioner. of the NHL, Gary Bettman, and his assistant, Bill Daly, Thursday.
A “embarrassing” situation, say the oppositions (see below).
Minister Girard says he has succeeded in expressing his government’s interest in an NHL franchise in Quebec City and has shown that it would be an important asset to the league.
“We agreed to stay in touch and keep the channels of communication open,” wrote the now dubbed Minister of Nordics.
The flattered NHL
In a joint statement, Commissioner Gary Bettman and his deputy Bill Daly said they were “flattered” by the interest shown by Quebec, “but that they were not aware of an opportunity that could meet this interest in the moment”.
“We had a cordial meeting with Messrs Girard and Côté this morning, during which they once again expressed Quebec’s passion for hockey and Quebec City’s deep interest in the return of the NHL,” said they let it know.
“We appreciate that the lines of communication between the two sides have been refreshed, they added, and we have agreed to stay in touch if circumstances change.”
Wrong priorities
At the heart of the 5e wave of the pandemic, the opposition parties in Quebec believe that the government looks crazy on this issue.
“When the NHL itself finds that a hockey team in Quebec is not a priority, it’s embarrassing to be in the ‘shorts’ of the CAQ,” said Ruba Ghazal, spokesperson on the matter. of finances. “While the load shedding is reaching critical levels and our health network is at the end of its rope, the CAQ is devoting its energy to hockey.”
According to the Liberals, there are “other priorities than hockey and pétanque”.
“Where are your priorities @ & $ & @?” [propos non parlementaires]. So find a safe way to bring our young people back into the sport instead, ”Liberal MP and former NHL hockey player Enrico Ciccone denounced on Twitter.
The péquiste Méganne Perry Mélançon qualifies this meeting of “show of boucane to create diversion”. “In addition to all the issues related to the pandemic, there is a lot to do to plan for a safe and gradual return to sport among young people,” she said.
Prime Minister François Legault did not want to comment on the file during a press briefing Thursday afternoon, arguing that his priority was the management of the pandemic.