The following is reaction to the Canadian Federal
Government's decision to cancel financial assistance to
Canada's NHL teams:
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: The NATIONAL POST's Cam Cole, on
the "jolt of power" felt by the electorate when the
government decided to cancel financial assistance: "Just
imagine: you said no, and they listened. I wonder if that's
how a democracy works" (NAT. POST, 1/22). In Denver, Jim
Armstrong, on the decision to "pass on" subsidizing the
teams: "You know what that means, don't you? Ten years from
now, ice fishing will be Canada's national pastime" (DENVER
POST, 1/23). In Edmonton, Terry Jones: "What a country.
Build a bridge on Wednesday. Blow it up on Friday"
(EDMONTON SUN, 1/22).
LAST SHOT? A VANCOUVER SUN editorial stated, "The
lesson for the NHL is this: Hockey may be Canada's game but
the league has squandered its traditional stock of goodwill"
(VANCOUVER SUN, 1/22). In Toronto, Stephen Brunt: "This
week's great flip-flop was a remarkable turn of events by
any measure, one that no doubt has shaken a few politicians,
and perhaps even the folks at the NHL head office in New
York" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/22). In Ottawa, Chris
Stevenson wrote, "There will be at least one more press
conference like Friday's. Just what will be announced still
remains to be seen" (OTTAWA SUN, 1/22).
