Quebec Arena Gets Funding Pledge from Quebecor

The announcement of private funding could boost the Conservative Party’s popularity in Quebec.

If the way to Quebec voters’ hearts is through a new hockey rink, the Conservatives got a big helping hand Sunday when Quebecor CEO Pierre-Karl Peladeau announced he has offered “tens of millions of dollars” to build an NHL-ready arena in Quebec City. Last September Conservative MPs posed for photographs wearing Quebec Nordiques jerseys, which many took as an indication the federal government intended to fund a $400-million project to build a rink and lure the beloved but defunct NHL franchise back to the city. The Conservatives backed off however, saying Ottawa wouldn’t fund the rink unless a private partner was found for the venture. Now Quebecor, which owns the right-wing Sun newspaper chain, appears to be that partner.