By Jason Ramey
The recent establishment of a Heritage Canada subcommittee to look into the economics and value of sport is a step in the right direction.
The federal government initiative was developed with a “special emphasis” to protect NHL teams in Canada.
It is feared that hockey’s exploding popularity in the United States could topple Canada from its once accepted place as the world’s leading hockey nation. In addition, escalating salaries in the NHL are likely to pinch Canadian teams even worse in the future.
Hockey is the greatest galvanizer of national unity. We shouldn’t just watch our teams go, because once they are gone it will be very difficult to get them back.
Two NHL teams in the last three years have headed south of the border, while a third might be on the move soon. There are only six Canadian teams left in the 26-team league. However, 65 per cent of NHL players are Canadian. Hockey is Canada’s sport.
Canadian teams face a competitive imbalance with the American teams. Canadian owners say they’re unfairly competing with American franchises that enjoy greater tax concessions.
Tampa Bay received $200 million in government money for its new building, and the Philadelphia Flyers have been excused from property taxes for the next 30 years. Sixteen NHL teams are tax-exempt, while the Montreal Canadiens are the most heavily taxed, paying $11 million annually on the Molson Centre.
Countries derive many benefits from a strong national sport. Sports teams boost local economies and hockey binds Canadians. Those who aren’t usually interested in the game become drawn in by “the talk of the town.”
Take last year’s playoff run by the Ottawa Senators. The city was transformed and all the focus was put on last night’s game or the upcoming game. The city was abuzz. It developed a sense of pride.
If Ottawa were to lose its hockey team, it would be left with no major professional sports franchises. This would be devastating to the local community, obviously for avid sports fans, but also for those who aren’t, but who can get caught up in the emotion of a playoff run.
The subcommittee can only make recommendations, but if the government gets involved it can save hockey in Canada. Would it make any sense to have only a couple of professional teams in Canada, when we are the greatest hockey nation in the world?