Mr. Speaker, sports are an integral part of Canadian culture. In fact, during the Stanley Cup playoffs hockey becomes the cultural glue unifying Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
Canadian players are very competitive, yet when it comes to competing sports teams the Americans tilt the playing field and compete with an unfair advantage. Huge local, state and federal subsidies provide unfair advantages to professional sport teams based in the U.S. and it is time for us to act.
Canadian professional sporting teams have been harmed by unfair American subsidy policies which have reduced the operating costs of United States teams. The NAFTA establishes clear rules to prohibit these unfair practices. The Canadian government should initiate a dispute with the American government under chapter 20 of the NAFTA and seek compensation for the unfair U.S. policies.
On behalf of sports in Canada let us establish a backbone rather than a wishbone. Let us take some action.