NHL hockey returns to Quebec City with a visit from the LA Kings. For some, the payout is questionable

Bernard Dion is hoping for a “fantastic show” after scoring last-minute tickets for the first of two Los Angeles Kings exhibition games to be held in Quebec City on Thursday.

With the games drawing criticism from organizations and politicians across Quebec because they are funded by government subsidies, Dion said the investment is worth it.

“To think that people are going to come today, some of them [are] They're going to stay in a hotel and eat in restaurants. I don't think they're losing money,” Dion said.

He said the province needs to invest in cultural events such as hockey. When he bought the tickets Wednesday night and traveled from Montreal, he said the game gives him a chance to watch the team close to home with his 21-year-old son, a longtime fan.

“I think it's in our blood. Hockey is the most important thing,” said Dion.

“What is important is passion and for the people here they want that passion back,”

Money invested in game 'scandalous'

In 2023, Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard announced that Quebec would agree to spend between $5 million and $7 million for the games, arguing that the government often supports similar events such as the Canadian Grand Prix ​​in Montreal or Mosacultures, a horticultural exhibition that has popped up in several cities. .

Girard defended the grant, saying the goal is to showcase a venue designed to host NHL games in hopes of getting a team back.

But on Thursday, hundreds of people took to the streets to march to the stadium to protest the use of public resources.

“It's outrageous that the government is spending this money,” said Flix Marois of a tenants' rights group in Quebec City.

He said even if the millions of dollars is a relatively small amount for the provincial government, for smaller nonprofits like his it is a lot.

“You could change the lives of many thousands of people with $7 million in grants if you invest properly. No one's life will be improved by the hockey game. At best you'll have one good afternoon.”

Some arrived by bus from Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivires and Saguenay for the demonstration, including Rosalie Dupont, from the Eastern Townships.

“There is no money for the health care and education system, and our government goes ahead and spends $7 million on a hockey game,” Dupont said.

Etienne Grandmont, Qubec Solidaire MNA for Taschereau, said cities across North America are hosting similar events without public investment and that Quebec City should have done the same.

'It is clear to us that the government [of] Legault is not making the right decisions on public finances,” Grandmont said.

“Public money should not go to hockey players who earn high salaries, as the NHL does [a] very lucrative business. Annual profits of several billion dollars. They don't need public money.”

Kings visit hospitals and organize hockey clinics

Kings president Luc Robitaille declined to say how much money the team will receive, but told a news conference that getting paid for travel is part of the team's business model and helps cover travel, hotels and player salaries.

He said the team will also give back while in Quebec City by visiting a hospital, hosting hockey clinics with children and donating 400 sets of hockey equipment to local organizations.

When Girard first announced the project, he said the hockey event will cost a total of $10 million, but it won't have to cover the cost of meals and alcohol for the Los Angeles Kings players.

Gestev, the event organizer and recipient of the grant, is owned by Qubecor. Martin Tremblay, head of Gestev and chief operating officer of Qubecor's sports and entertainment division, said it was the Quebec government that launched the initiative.

To ensure that Qubecor does not suffer any losses, the government has agreed to pay the company up to an additional $2 million in the event of a loss after the event.

The Kings will be in Old Quebec from Oct. 2-6 and will take on the Boston Bruins on Thursday and the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, on Saturday.

There were still more than 4,600 tickets for sale on Thursday.

“Kings are able to pay,” says fan

Carlo Estevo has been a fan of the Boston Bruins for 25 years. He drove from Baie-Saint-Paul, Que., with his girlfriend Lucy Constantin.

“It's important to me. I'm taking the day off today,” Estevo said with a chuckle.

He said he wanted to appear at Thursday's game against the Bruins to show support for Patrice Bergeron, the longtime Bruins player who retired in 2023.

Before Thursday's game, Bergeron received a standing ovation as the stadium honored the Quebecer near his hometown.

Michel Turcotte of Levis, Que., made sure to wear his Bergeron jersey for the occasion. He bought his tickets months ago, but said he understands the controversy surrounding the event's price tag.

'They shouldn't have put money into that. The Kings are able to afford this,” Turotte said.

Marie Gingras said it's about seizing the opportunity and hopefully working toward getting a team from Quebec.

“I know the taxpayers are angry, but you know the government spends money the way it wants to,” Gingras said.

“I can buy tickets myself to come and see a match. I think it's a great thing. Quebec also wants some exposure.”