Mr. Speaker, Le Petit Robert defines sport as physical activity with a recreational and competitive purpose, requiring methodical training and observation of certain rules.
It is these rules which I wish to address today. It seems to me that the managers of the National Hockey League do not wish to see the consequences their failure to observe these rules might have on the values of our Canadian society.
First of all, I am thinking of the poor example being set for young players learning this sport and for those hoping to become professionals one day. I am also thinking of the negative influence on the public in general of broadcasting acts of violence which are normally prohibited under the criminal code. Such acts of violence should result in swift and stiff criminal charges.
What is the National Hockey League waiting for to get serious and enforce its rules? For a player to get killed? For children less well trained and not as well protected to suffer the same fate?
National Hockey League officials—