Ontario Finance Minister Ernie Eves "offered property
tax relief" yesterday to "save" the Senators, and with the
"approval of two tiers of municipal" government, the deal
"could amount" to a C$4.5M tax break for the franchise,
according to Gray, Blackwell & Lindgren of the OTTAWA
CITIZEN. Senators Chair Rod Bryden said that he "expects"
the federal government to "complete the deal ... possibly as
early as next week" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 10/29). But in Toronto,
Mackie, Naylor & McIlroy report that though Eves' "gesture
was the first tangible sign of government support," Prime
Minister Jean Chretien said that the federal government
"cannot offer tax breaks" to the Senators "because the team
is losing money and doesn't pay corporate tax." Toronto
Mayor Mel Lastman also said that city's teams won't be
eligible for the tax relief: "We do not have the money, to
begin with. We are not going to be subsidizing professional
sport" (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/29). In Toronto, Lance Hornby
writes that Eves is "reluctant to be painted" as subsidizing
the NHL. Eves: "We can't solve all the problems of the NHL,
and they are far more serious than just property taxes."
Bryden, on a possible cut in property taxes: "I'm optimistic
this is a big breakthrough" (TORONTO SUN, 10/29).
TAX BREAK OR BAD BREAK? In Toronto, Steve Simmons: "I
gladly will support government tax relief for professional
sporting owners the moment any level of government in this
country shows a willingness to deal with the issues that
matter the most. When education works and health care works
and everyday life makes sense, then we can help out our
recreational pursuits" (TORONTO SUN, 10/29).
THE LAST WORD: NBA Kings co-Owner George Maloof, on a
report that the Maloof family was interested in buying the
Senators and moving the team to Las Vegas: "I don't know
where they came up with that. We're not actively pursuing a
hockey team right now" (L.V. REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/29).
