NHL hockey returns to Quebec City with a visit from L.A. Kings. For some, the payoff is debatable

Michel Turcotte is a Bruins fan who was looking forward to seeing a game so close to home.  (Rachel Watts/CBC - image credit)
Michel Turcotte is a Bruins fan who was looking forward to seeing a game so close to home. (Rachel Watts/CBC - image credit)

Bernard Dion is hoping for a "fantastic show" after he scored last-minute tickets to catch the first of two Los Angeles Kings exhibition games being held in Quebec City on Thursday.

As the games draw criticism from organizations and politicians across Quebec for being funded by a government subsidy, Dion said the investment is worthwhile.

"If you consider people are going to come today, some [are] going to take a hotel, they eat at restaurants. I don't think they're losing money," said Dion.

He said the province needs to invest in cultural events like hockey. Buying the tickets Wednesday night and travelling up from Montreal, he said the game gives him a chance to watch the team close to home with his 21-year-old son, who's a long-time fan.

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

"What is important is passion and for people here, they want to have that passion back,"

Money invested in game 'outrageous' 

In 2023, Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard announced Quebec would agree to spend between $5 million and $7 million for the games — arguing the government often backs comparable events such as the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal or Mosaïcultures, a horticulture exhibit that has cropped up in different cities.

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

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

The Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins played to a packed house during an exhibition game in Quebec City on Thursday.
The Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins played to a packed house during an exhibition game in Quebec City on Thursday.

The Los Angeles Kings and Boston Bruins played to a packed house during an exhibition game in Quebec City on Thursday. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

"It is outrageous that the government is spending this money," said Félix Marois with a tenants' rights group in Quebec City.

He said even if the millions of dollars is a relatively small amount for the provincial government, it's a lot for smaller non-profits, like his own.

"You could change the lives of many thousands of people with $7 million in subsidies, if invested properly. No one's life is going to be improved by the hockey game. Like best case scenario, you'll have one good afternoon."

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

"There's no money for health and education system, and well, our government goes ahead and spends $7 million for a hockey game," said Dupont.

Demonstrators marched to the Videotron Centre to protest the use of public funds to pay for the hockey games. Holding up a banner with a photo of Legault, it reads we are becoming poorer as they are getting richer.
Demonstrators marched to the Videotron Centre to protest the use of public funds to pay for the hockey games. Holding up a banner with a photo of Legault, it reads we are becoming poorer as they are getting richer.

Demonstrators marched to the Videotron Centre to protest the use of public funds to pay for the hockey games. Holding up a banner with a photo of Legault, it reads, 'we are becoming poorer as they are getting richer. ' (Marie-Eve Trudel/Radio-Canada)

Etienne Grandmont, Québec Solidaire MNA for Taschereau, said cities across North America host similar events without public investments and Quebec City should have done the same.

"It's obvious for us that the government [of] Legault doesn't take the right decisions in terms of public finances," said Grandmont.

"Public money shouldn't go to hockey players that earn big salaries … The NHL is [a] very lucrative company. Several billions of dollars in profit every year. They don't need public money."

Kings to visit hospitals, host hockey clinics

Kings president Luc Robitaille declined to say how much money the team is getting, but told a news conference that being paid for trips 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 it's 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 up to $10 million total, but it will not have to cover the cost of meals and alcohol for Los Angeles Kings players.

Bernard Dion, pictured with his son Vincent. They drove from Montreal to attend the game.
Bernard Dion, pictured with his son Vincent. They drove from Montreal to attend the game.

Bernard Dion and his son Vincent drove from Montreal to attend the game. (Rachel Watts/CBC)

Gestev, the organizer of the event and the recipient of the subsidy, is a property of Québecor. Martin Tremblay, head of Gestev and chief operating officer of Québecor's sports and entertainment division, said it was the Quebec government that launched the initiative.

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

Kings coast to 4-1 victory

Staying in Old Quebec from Oct. 2 to Oct. 6, the Kings face off against the Boston Bruins on Thursday and the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, on Saturday.

Players are on centre ice of the Videotron Centre as Los Angeles team practices Wednesday, October 2, 2024  in Quebec City. The Kings will play two pre-season games with the Boston Bruins, Thursday Oct. 3 and Florida Panthers Saturday Oct. 5. The Videotron Centre confirmed they sold a little over 30,000 tickets on the eve of the first game. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

The L.A. Kings warm up at the Videotron Centre on Wednesday in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Bright blue Nordiques jerseys could be seen scattered throughout the Centre Videotron as the Kings took the ice for the first of those games. The retired numbers of Nordiques greats Michel Goulet, Marc Tardif, Jean-Claude Tremblay and Peter Stastny hung from the rafters as the Kings coasted to a 4-1 victory on the strength of a Quinton Byfield hat trick.

As of Thursday, over 4,600 tickets were still up for sale.

'Kings are capable of paying,' says fan

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

"It's important for me. I take the day off today," said Estevo with a chuckle.

He said he wanted to show up to Thursday's game against the Bruins to show support to Patrice Bergeron, the long-time Bruins player who retired in 2023.

Carlo Estevo and his girlfriend, Lucy Constantin, wore Bruins shirts to Thursday's game.
Carlo Estevo and his girlfriend, Lucy Constantin, wore Bruins shirts to Thursday's game.

Carlo Estevo and his girlfriend, Lucy Constantin, wore Bruins shirts to Thursday's game. (Rachel Watts/CBC)

Ahead of Thursday's match, Bergeron received a standing ovation as the stadium honoured the Quebecer, close to where he was born.

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 price tag of the event.

Marie Gingras pictured with her friend Sylvie Theriault are part of a Facebook page of Boston Bruins fans and bought their tickets months ago.
Marie Gingras pictured with her friend Sylvie Theriault are part of a Facebook page of Boston Bruins fans and bought their tickets months ago.

Marie Gingras pictured with her friend, Sylvie Theriault, are part of a Facebook page of Boston Bruins fans and bought their tickets months ago. (Rachel Watts/CBC)

"They shouldn't have put money in that. The kings are capable of paying for this," said Turotte.

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

"I know the taxpayers are upset but you know the government spends the way they want to spend," said Gingras.

"I am allowed to buy myself tickets to come see a game … I think it's a great thing. Quebec also wants some exposure."