NDP Leader Jack Layton is all revved up.
Layton said it's time Ottawa fuelled the Montreal Grand Prix with taxpaper dollars.
"Yes, of course, Its a very important event, not only for race fans but also for Montreal's economy," he told Montreal's TVA.
But that's not all. He said those same tax dollars should be used to bail out sports teams.
"Obviously we would join with the city and the province to help because the benefits are very important for the local economy."
- Richard Brennan
Mr. Layton is being quite the hypocrite. You would give money for a 3 day event over money to secure THOUSANDS of jobs in the oilsands? Shame.
Posted by: Glen Arthur | October 10, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Jack Layton, representing the blue collar force, would garner votes from sports-minded working class people by supporting an international sports event. However, how many of these folks would actually have or spend money to attend the events? Yes the tourists will enjoy it (I have several times) but creating the facility is a kind of inflationary tactic, since the costs are extended first and are proven later.
Consider the Skydome in Toronto, which was supported in part by tax payers and then was sold for a few million dollars just a decade later. The millions of sports fan in the GTA could not support the events or the facility sufficiently to keep it fluid.
In my opinion, whether it is sports or arts culture, if the populace won't spend money to build it or to support it, then don't build it.
Posted by: charles goodall | October 12, 2008 at 02:20 PM