Ottawa – Industry Minister John Manley has pulled the plug on a plan to help bail out Canada’s National Hockey League teams. Manley had announced the plan last Tuesday but it was met with such disgust from taxpayers and fellow politicians that Manley was left with very little choice but to withdraw the offer of assistance.
Rod Bryden, owner of the Ottawa Senators of the NHL, a team seen as being in the most desperate situation of the Canadian teams, was unquestionably upset by the latest news.
“I had just taken down the For Sale sign on this team and now I have to get it back out of the garage and spend the day trying to hammer it back into the frozen tundra of Kanata, Ontario. Winter is a lousy time to sell a hockey team, let me tell you!”
Mr. Bryden was not the only surprised person in Ottawa, however.
Across town, in a swank retirement home, a group of wealthy, elderly persons was assembling to voice their discontent also. Their spokesman, former NHLer and Toronto businessman, Frank Mahovlich said, “Hell! One day they announce a raise for us then a couple of days later they change their minds? My colleagues here in the Senate are very confused, at the best of times, but this one really has shaken the foundations of the Upper House."
When confronted with Mahovlich’s remarks, Prime Minister Jean Chretien suggested, “Perhaps, after dis all blows hover, hit will be time to consider to reform de Senate, hagain! Phew, doze guy need a wake-up call over dair.”
