The return of the Nordiques is not highly probable, I know that. But it’s far from impossible as talk of potential league expansion intensifies. The Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, candidly assessed the chances at 10%.
Mr. Girard therefore went to New York to meet the leaders of the National League this week. The opposition denounces his approach. The opposition’s reasoning is: for such a small chance, do nothing. The Liberal Party, the same party that had the Videotron Center built, does not support the approach. Go figure!
Even the mayor of Quebec showed a defeatist face, saying that the National League does not want to come to Quebec. These criticisms of Eric Girard and the government are highly unjustified. This attitude constitutes a major error of judgment, a horribly passive political approach.
Archive photo, QMI Agency
Defeatists
Are we to understand that for the opposition, if Quebec finds itself in a competition with several countries and American states to obtain a project, they will not even try? Ugh! Our chances of winning are too low, let’s stand idly by. If anyone really thinks that way in the National Assembly, they should leave office immediately.
Rather, I believe they were stifled by partisanship. They want the CAQ to fail so much that they unconsciously end up wishing that Quebec fails. Attention!
- Listen to the Dutrizac – Dumont meeting via QUB :
If Quebec did not already have an amphitheater, I understand that we would not propose to build one with a 10% probability of obtaining a team. However, the city of Quebec already has this equipment, built at a cost of $400 million.
From there, repeating to the league the interest of Quebec is not a fantasy of the government, it is downright a duty! The reverse would be unacceptable. Pass up an expansion that would bring the NHL to four new cities without even raising a hand??? It would be a shame, a laziness, a lamentable atony.
Gary Bettman
Getty Images via AFP
Realistic but proactive
OK, we can sense it, Gary Bettman has a preference for the American market. But not to the point of making it an absolute. The Jets returned to Winnipeg under his reign. And then, he doesn’t decide alone. And then, he experienced failures in markets without supporters. And then, Mr. Bettman is not here forever.
Eric Girard therefore went to New York to meet the leaders of the National League. As promised, the government reminds the league that Quebec’s candidacy exists. Politely, professionally. His trip simply cost a plane ticket. The minister did not put hundreds of millions at risk.
I understand the people of Quebec who have become too cautious. The fear of being disappointed for the ixth time almost turned into apathy. But we must remain both rational and optimistic. The Nords should never have left anyway. We let go for $75 million an asset that would today be worth $750…