Quebec City Arena to Go Ahead Without Federal Funding

Mayor Régis Labeaume is expected to announce Thursday that the municipal and provincial governments have struck a deal to build an NHL-ready arena.

Could this mean a return of the beloved Nordiques? After much handwringing from the federal government over how to pump millions into a new arena for Quebec City without angering the rest of the country, it appears Harper’s government has been cut out of the deal. Mayor Labeaume is expected to announce the 50-50 deal with Jean Charest’s Liberal government Thursday, as well as the proposed location for the hockey rink. Polls indicate the federal Conservatives will see a dip in support unless they find a way to horn in on the proposed plan for the hockey-starved city. The project is going ahead without the consent of the NHL, which has no plans to bring a team back to Quebec.