Jacques Boissinot The Canadian Press Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard (right), during a press conference at the Videotron Center on Tuesday in Quebec.
The government must step back and give up offering millions for the organization of Los Angeles Kings matches at the Quebec amphitheater, say three opposition parties.
Québec solidaire (QS), the Parti Québécois (PQ) and the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) believe that this decision, announced Monday by the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, is ill-advised in the context of financial pressures which are being felt on government.
QS MP Alexandre Leduc believes that the subsidy of 5 to 7 million offered for the organization of the matches is new proof that the government is confused after its defeat in the by-election in Jean-Talon. According to him, this “insulting decision” was taken while the government claims that it lacks money to meet the demands of Quebecers struggling with inflation.
“It must back down , he said. We are clearly dealing with a government that is in panic mode. »
The leader of the PCQ, Éric Duhaime, judges that it is indecent to offer public funds for an event that the population will be unable to attend due to the high price of tickets, at the Videotron Center .
“The government must announce that it is canceling this subsidy,” he said. I think it's almost unanimous. Today, everyone denounces this, it makes no sense. »
PQ MP Pascal Paradis also believes that the government must backtrack, depending on the room for maneuver it has.
“We don't know the contracts, we don't doesn't know if there are any exit clauses, he said. But I think it's important to think about it. Wouldn't it be the best thing to step back, to prevent what should be a celebration of sport, hockey and the occupation of our Videotron Center from becoming something political? »
The financing announced Monday by Mr. Girard was approved by the office of Prime Minister François Legault, said press secretary Ewan Sauves on Tuesday.
« Le Center Vidéotron was paid for by taxpayers. It was built to hold national league matches,” he said.
More details will follow