La LNH à Québec?

[jesseps]

The dream of reviving les Nordiques as a proud Canadian NHL franchise is taking a big step forward as Quebec City and the government of Quebec will split the cost of a new arena 50-50, cutting out the federal Tories in a region where they hold six seats.

 

Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume’s announcement, planned for Thursday, with Premier Jean Charest represents the “Plan B” he recently promised after negotiations with the Harper government failed to produce a clear funding pledge.

 

They will jointly unveil the possible location of the arena, as well as a construction timeline. The Conservative minister responsible for the region, Josée Verner, is not invited.

 

While the 50-50 arrangement does not rule out federal funding at a later date, the new plan could carry a political cost for the federal Conservatives. The party has carved out a small base of support in the region under Prime Minister Stephen Harper but polls show that could shrink considerably if Ottawa refuses to fund the arena.

 

“The mayor called on them [the federal government] 16 months ago and they have not yet responded in a positive way,” Mr. Labeaume’s spokesperson, Paul-Christian Nolin, said Wednesday. He added that private-sector funding was involved but refused to offer company names or amounts.

 

The project is moving ahead without a firm commitment from the NHL, which has no plans for expansion. Nor does it have any support from media mogul Pierre Karl Péladeau – the president of Quebecor Inc. – who recently said he would invest “tens of millions” of dollars into the project. Mr. Péladeau also will not be at the announcement.

 

Mr. Labeaume originally wanted all three levels of government to contribute.

 

One recent plan called for the construction of a $400-million arena with the province picking up 45 per cent of the cost and the city $50-million. Mr. Labeaume urged Ottawa to contribute the remaining sum.

 

Eight beaming Tory MPs from the province appeared to literally give the idea of federal funding a thumbs-up in September when they posed for photos in vintage Nordiques jerseys.

 

But in the months since, comments from the Prime Minister and his government have left broad room for interpretation, with Mr. Labeaume making no secret of his frustration with Ottawa on the file.

 

Sixteen years have passed since Quebeckers saw their beloved Nordiques leave town for Colorado. Fans of the team have since watched promising young players such as Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin and Peter Forsberg develop into big stars far away from the aging Colisée, now over 60 years old.

 

The push for a new arena is picking up steam even though NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league has no plans to expand.

 

“We tell people who are building buildings, don’t build it with the expectation you’re going to have a team because we’re not going to make you that promise,” Mr. Bettman told The Canadian Press late last month.

 

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has previously confirmed that one option for funding pro sports venues might be through the Public-Private Partnership Fund that Ottawa created in the 2008 budget and still has more than $2-billion remaining.

 

On Wednesday, in response to a media report, he indicated that another possibility would be to change the gas-tax rules to allow arena funding to qualify. Only hours later, the government’s lead minister for Quebec City appeared to shoot down the idea.

 

“That’s speculation,” said Ms. Verner, who was front and centre in the September thumbs-up photo. “There’s no plan like that.”

 

Ms. Verner repeated her past comments that Ottawa is still waiting on a clear funding proposal. Once that is in place, she said, the federal government can look at which program would best suit funding.

 

The issue continues to cause headaches for Tory MPs who are trying to reconcile their desire for smaller government with the political reality that several big Canadian cities want federal cash for new NHL arenas or CFL stadiums.

 

Edmonton-St. Albert Conservative MP Brent Rathgeber said Wednesday the gas-tax idea is worth looking at.

 

“Some of my constituents are not real keen on public dollars being used; but the gas tax might be a reasonable compromise,” Mr. Rathgeber said. “It’s a new idea, it’s been floated and I think it warrants some consideration.”

 

Ottawa transfers nearly $2-billion a year to municipalities – either directly or through provincial governments – but there are restrictions on its uses. Currently, the money must be spent on one of the following categories: water, wastewater, solid waste, public transit, community energy systems, local roads and bridges, and “capacity development to enable communities to design and implement integrated community sustainability plans.”

 

Municipalities must report to Ottawa on how the money is allocated.

 

Federal Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said changing the gas-tax rules would force city mayors such as Mr. Labeaume to divert money away from infrastructure including sewers to pay for sports facilities.

 

“What kind of choice is that for Mayor Labeaume?” he asked. “This is not a serious conversation between a federal government and a respected mayor of a Canadian city.”

 

(Courtesy of The Globe and Mail)

 

The way I see it, Quebecor and PowerCorp of Canada should pull their money together to bring a team or start a new one in Quebec. Have SNC-Lavalin build the arena. Plus have the Quebec Government make some headway and have a high-speed rail between Montreal and Quebec, so it be easy for people to go see games No more planes or buses.

[Rusty]

Je ne suis pas d'accord de mettre de lessence dans mon auto et payer plus une taxe qui est élevée et après cet argent va pour construire un amphithéatre... pas d'accord avec cela du tout...Moi je ne vais jamais voter pour le parti conservateur ...J'espère que le reste du Canada va se révolter contre cela ;-)

Modifié 10 février 2011 par Rusty

[boluda]

Ou est Péladeau dans tout ça??

 

Je comprends pas grand'chose au sport, mais me semble que quand ya pas UN investisseur privé dans une ville pour mettre de l'argent dans un amphithéâtre, ça augure mal pour l'équipe...

 

Des PPP pour des hopitaux, mais 100% privé pour un amphithéâtre, pour une équipe incertaine dans le plus petit marché de la LNH?!

[jesseps]

Quebec City and the Charest government confirm they will split the cost of a new NHL arena 50-50, with construction to begin late next year.

 

The $400-million structure – a key part of a plan to revive the Quebec Nordiques NHL franchise – will be completed by 2015.

 

At a joint news conference Thursday at the 61-year old Colisée, Mayor Régis Labeaume said the private sector will not be invited to partner in the construction of the “multi-purpose amphitheatre.” Negotiations are ongoing, however, with private-sector companies about possible contributions through naming rights or exclusive agreements for beer and food sales in the arena.

 

Quebec Premier Jean Charest said the city deserves a high-quality arena. He also said it would help the city’s hope of landing a future Olympic Winter Games.

 

“The national capital is a source of pride for all Quebeckers,” he said in French. “It’s part of who we are, as well as one of the prettiest cities in the world.”

 

The province will contribute up to $200-million and the city will contribute up to $187-million and seek extra funding to make up any difference.

 

The mayor said the city’s share will be reduced if it can attract an NHL franchise. Mr. Labeaume said he has informed NHL president Gary Bettman that the project is moving ahead. The city also hopes Ottawa will jump on board.

 

“If they don't, it will be political suicide,” said Luc Paradis, president of the Quebec City chamber of commerce.

 

No federal Conservative MPs were invited to the announcement, even though six Tory MPs represent the greater Quebec City area and three other Conservative MPs represent ridings in eastern Quebec.

 

The mayor said there is still an opportunity for Ottawa to contribute.

 

He said that if the federal government comes forward in the next “months or years,” he said that would be good news for all involved.

 

(Courtesy of The Globe and Mail)

 

Arena by 2015? Lets see how it goes. I want to be at the first game Nordiques vs. Canadiens

 

 

It should be called the Hydro-Quebec Centre or SAQ Centre

Modifié 10 février 2011 par jesseps

[peekay]

Too bad Charest wasn't the premier when the expos needed a new stadium...

[Rusty]

And this Ampitheatre looks 100% better then Montreal's Polyvalente ''le centre Bell" ...

 

it's just wackyness ... you mean Stephen Harper...

[Habsfan]

I have to admit, I'm a little "on the fence" with this one. On one hand, I don't believe the Provincial Gov't should be investing in this arena. Wasn't it the PQ who said back in the year 2000 that it wasn't the gov'ts job to put more money in the pockets of millionaires. (talking about Baseball players)

 

The Canadiens had the Molson Centre built entirely with Private money(the Molsons), why doesn't Videotron/Québecor do the same thing??

 

Why am I paying for something that I will probably never use?

 

On the other hand, I'd love to see the Nordiques back. The rivalry with the Habs was sooooo intense! The closest thing we have today is with the Bruins, yet even that isn't as crazy as it used to be with the Nordiques.

 

had the Charest Gov't been in power in 1998-2000 and would have been willing to spend 200 million$ for a new Downtown stadium for the Expos...maybe i'd have a different view on this issue. I guess i'm still a little pissed off that the Expos are gone and our gov't didn't do anything about it.

[WestAust]

Je ne suis pas d'accord de mettre de lessence dans mon auto et payer plus une taxe qui est élevée et après cet argent va pour construire un amphithéatre... pas d'accord avec cela du tout...Moi je ne vais jamais voter pour le parti conservateur ...J'espère que le reste du Canada va se révolter contre cela ;-)

 

La taxe existe déjà, il s'agit de la taxe d'acsise fédérale sur l'essence. Et cette taxe est déjà redonnée au municipalités pour des projets d'infrastructures (routes, ponts, égouts...)

 

Ce que le gouvernement voulait faire c'est de permettre à une ville d'utiliser son argent qui lui revient vers un amphithéatre si c'est ce qu'elle voulait. Au bout du compte, il n'y avait pas plus de taxe, ni plus d'argent investi.

[LindbergMTL]

Le gouvernement devrait faire un prêt à long terme avec l'entreprise privée pour faciliter la rentabilité de l'opération, et récupérer tout son argent. C'est un projet valable et enrichissant pour toute la communauté si les payeurs de taxes récupèrent les fonds investis.

[boluda]

 

The Canadiens had the Molson Centre built entirely with Private money(the Molsons), why doesn't Videotron/Québecor do the same thing??

 

.

 

exactly! maudite culture de cheap chez les millionaires Québécois (francophones)!!