Today's papers are full of criticism of the Federal government for funding a new hockey arena in Quebec City. There are dark suggestions of taxpayer money flowing to Conservative heavies.
And there is no doubt the Conservatives are hoping to generate support from the funding.
But... ignoring the political spin, why not fund a hockey arena?
It's a major public good, and it seems necessary to bring back an NHL team to Quebec City.
I'm only a so-so hockey fan -- I'll watch playoffs or Olympics -- but hockey is central to many Canadians and I don't see any difference funding hockey arenas or opera houses. Both are cultural centres.
Now, playing obvious politics with funding is groob. Moreover, it's quite inconsistent with the stated principles of the Conservative Party. But since I don't hold to those principles I'm not too troubled -- and as for being groob, well, politics can be a bit vulgar and that's nothing new.
At base, I dislike the spin but see no issue with the substance.
15 comments:
I don't want federal tax dollars to support this project.
This is not a community rink.
The private interests including the local citizens can build their own NHL rink by raising their property taxes to pay for it.
Apparently all big arenas LOSE money so why should tax-payers fund a private interest enterprise.
All other NHL arenas have been funded privately by a corporation or owners of a team. Why should this one be any different? It's all for vote getting on all 3 levels of govt. - Federal, Provincial, & Municipal. Wrong!
If the Conservatives want to fund hockey, fine. But fund all the arenas not just one. There are plenty across this country!!
The Nordiques left because they weren't financially viable and Quebec City can't even budget the proposed arena's $4.5 million a year upkeep.
It's just a terrible idea financially. Peladeau can bankrupt himself all he wants as long as he doesn't take my tax money down with him.
This all assumes that the NHL will allow a team to "return" or be assigned to Quebec City.
Has anyone stopped to think that the NHL actually need to say yes before the arena gets built?
If you think the NHL will relocate a team from the southern US then dream on. Those teams are not going anywhere.
This is also a waste of tax dollars at a time when we don't have the money.
If the citizens of Quebec City want a team, they can pony up the money themselves.
If Quebecer's are happy to pay medical user fees to subsidize a hockey arena,
then they deserve Charest.
The only thing PMSH has said about fed funding for an arena, is that sports teams should fund themselves, but we will give the Nordiques return MORAL support.
If private local money can't be raised fo the arean, that's because it is a loser.....
So, Morton doesn't care to critique porkbarrelling because he's not a fiscal conservative. Bully for him. But please resign from the Party & Liblogs cuz you're sure not helping anybody but the COnservatives with this, "Nothing to see here, folks," schtick.
Anon at 12:26
If you don't like Mr. Morton's blog, then don't read it. Some of us enjoy it and his posts especially the polar bears. (Those polar bear post must really be helping the Conservatives...)
Mr. Morton keep your posts coming - all of them. They are informative and cute. Especially the bears. They are adorable. Thanks for the posts!
Anon at 1:35 - Thanks. I agree with you. I enjoy the blog and its diversity.
James, keep 'em coming! Love the polar bears.
Well, I see the point about Conservatives -- my goal isn't to help but to comment. I do think government has a role in building a cultural infrastructure. I don't like the hyperpartisan stuff (the spin) and I am no fan of pork barrels - but if Quebec City needs help building an arena why shouldn't they get Federal money. We have government to build the nation, among other things, and an arena is a good use of money.
Good 2 see that the hardworking west's tax dollars are going to good use. We are fighting to get hospitals and schools and all of the money going to the ''have not'' provinces get spent on a bloody hockey arena. Sure sound like those ''equalization'' payments are going to good use.
Anon 12:26 here again:
well, sure, infrastructure was all the rage for the stimulus program, but supposedly it's not needed anymore. So this is just for currying votes. SO why only QC? Wpg's building a new stadium, too. And why can't every cit get a new $200-M pork project then? ANd like the others are saying, this doesn't benefit everyone: not all like hockey or can afford the games. Build bridges with it -- literally.
And my shot was cuz that was the second post last night where you sold out the Lib. party by dismissing the substance of the criticisms against the current gov't.
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4937285970642106606&postID=2189023226582212123
with Bettman at the helm of the NHL, I think the chances of any Canadian city getting another NHL franchise are very slim. QC had their chance, and failed. Besides, I would think that Winnipeg would have a better chance of supporting a team (even though, yes, it failed there as well).
People like hockey arenas. And you don't just use them for hockey - you get rock concerts, wrestling, monster trucks, political conventions, the circus, and a whole host of other things.
And once a city reaches a certain size, it wants a larger size arena. Yes, this allows them to try to get an NHL team again. Which people like, a lot. But also, it means many more people can get tickets to those other events. That makes everyone happy.
So if a lot of people want a big arena, what's the big objection? Sure, it may lose money, but so do city parks. It's not all about subsidizing companies and paying for health care, you know.
p.s. We would like an arena in Moncton, please. Not NHL size, but 10,000 seats or so. So we can have conventions, concerts, and all the rest of it.
Thank you.
Post a Comment