Topic spans: 1979 - 2003
Hockey Flight in Canada
Canada is a hockey nation, but has had a heck of a time preventing its hockey franchises from going south. From the defunct Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques to financial messes in Edmonton and Ottawa, the CBC has followed the ups and downs of Canada's small-market NHL teams as they forever skate on thin ice.
15 television clips
8 radio clips
'Capitalism on ice'
Broadcast Date: May 25, 1995
Rex Murphy has a bone to pick with millionaire businessmen begging for government handouts. And he's flabbergasted at the way Canadians don't raise a peep when social programs are cut, yet cry bloody murder when a failing hockey franchise is put up for sale. In this commentary, Murphy has a wakeup call for hockey-loving taxpayers: in this game, you are customers, not citizens.'Capitalism on ice'
• Governments in Canada have a history of subsidizing professional hockey; the city of Winnipeg bought one-third of the Winnipeg Jets for $2.8 million in 1985. In 1991 the city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba agreed to cover all team losses until 1997, a deal estimated to cost taxpayers a potential $40 million. But premier Gary Filmon rejected a demand to build a new $111-million arena, and the writing was on the wall.• In 1995, federal human resources minister Lloyd Axworthy, a Manitoban, called public efforts to save the Jets, "probably the most genuine, profound outpouring of community will and motivation and enthusiasm I've seen." As a result, the city, province and federal government pledged $94 million towards the construction of a new arena. In the end, owner Barry Shenkarow declined the offer, citing an agreement to sell the team to Minneapolis.
• At the same time, Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau was embroiled in similar negotiations with Nordiques owner Marcel Aubut. The province offered to buy $17.5 million in team shares and cover up to 70 per cent of the team's losses. However, the province rejected demands to immediately build a new arena (which was to include an adjacent casino, the profits of which would fund the team). Parizeau noted that the province had just decided to close seven Montreal-area hospitals, and prudence was required.
'Capitalism on ice'
Medium: Television
Program: Prime Time Magazine
Broadcast Date: May 25, 1995
Guest(s):
Commentator: Rex Murphy
Duration: 3:31
Last updated:
March 31, 2005
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23 clips in this topic . page
Television
2:10
Sept. 3, 1991
The NHL's top draft pick snubs Quebec, and returns to the minors.
Television
1:42
Jan. 20, 1995
A 103-day lockout ends, and NHL players are back on ice to salvage the season.
'Capitalism on ice'.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: March 31, 2005.
[Page consulted on Feb. 15, 2012.]