MNA questions government over LA Kings deal

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QUEBEC – The Quebec government will not pay for meals or alcohol for Los Angeles Kings players who will play two preseason games in Quebec City this fall.

The leader of the opposition, Marc Tanguay, was able to obtain the guarantee on Tuesday during a study by the National Assembly commission on the budget appropriations of the Treasury Board.

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“Are you going to ensure that Quebecers do not pay to refund alcohol, particularly bottles of wine? Are you going to make sure of that or is it possible that we will pay for it? Tanguay wanted to know.

Youri Rousseau, deputy secretary of the National Capital Secretariat, began by saying that “any expense of any nature related to the organization and presentation of the event” would be reimbursed.

“It’s very, very broad,” Tanguay said, inviting Rousseau to be more precise. A CAQ MNA deputy, Mario Asselin, then intervened to object to the interim Liberal leader’s questions.

Rousseau finally revealed that the agreement does not provide for reimbursement of players’ personal expenses, such as meals and alcohol.

“Quebecor will cover the costs related to the presentation of events, and the Los Angeles Kings will take care of their part of the expenses incurred by the teams, food expenses, personal expenses, etc.,” he said.

“So these are expenses that will not be covered by our aid.”

Unknowingly, Rousseau had just revealed part of the agreement that until then had been kept confidential by those responsible for access to information.

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“We lifted the corner of the page a little,” Tanguay said, thanking the official “for revealing information that had been previously redacted.”

$2.5 million already paid to Quebecor

During the talks, Rousseau also revealed that $2.5 million has already been paid to Quebecor Sports and Entertainment Group since the deal was signed.

Another $2.5 million will be paid to the company 30 days before the event.

To ensure that Quebecor does not suffer losses, the government has committed to paying it up to an additional $2 million after the event, if it runs a deficit.

If there are no losses, thanks in particular to revenue from fines and parking, “Québecor could be forced to reimburse” certain sums, Rousseau said.

The announcement of this government subsidy caused a stir last fall, when Finance Minister Eric Girard said public finances were “tight” amid negotiations with public sector workers.

It was noted that the grant, awarded to add a multimillion-dollar hockey team, has become a symbol of the government’s disengagement during these negotiations.

From October 2 to 8, Quebec will host the Los Angeles Kings’ training camp and two exhibition games with the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers.

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