Quebec Liberal Party gives Legault “King of Deficits” hockey jersey

As the Los Angeles Kings prepare to play a controversial preseason game on Thursday night in Quebec City, the province’s Liberal Party (PLQ) had special jersey made for Premier François Legault – a Kings jersey, but not just any jersey. It says “King of Deficits” and his number is… $11 billion.

The PLQ is criticizing the Legault government for granting a $7 million subsidy to hold two professional hockey games in the capital, but also for the $11 billion deficit into which it has plunged Quebec they say.

Interim Liberal Leader Marc Tanguay brandished the hockey jersey during a press briefing at the National Assembly on Thursday morning.

“The captain of the deficit team, of the King of deficits, is François Legault,” said Tanguay. “Today, it’s important for us to recognize the result of François Legault’s administration. And today, this evening, is going to be the first of two games of the Kings here in Quebec, who costs the taxpayers $7 million. So, the captain deficit, the ‘King of the Deficit’ is François Legault. And here in the context that the Kings are in here in Quebec, we will be sending François Legault his jersey. So, François Legault, the ‘King of the Deficit.’ And of course, on every hockey jersey, there’s a name and a number behind it. I can guarantee you that the captain is Legault, and his number is 11 billion. That’s François Legault’s number, like the $11 billion deficit.”

PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announced that he will not be going to either of the two matches, even though he “loves hockey,” to use his words. 

“I’m going to go see the Quebec Remparts, but you won’t see me at the Kings,” he said in a press briefing.  “In what world would I encourage the squandering of public funds when, when the question is asked of the Los Angeles Kings: How much profit are you going to make, while we have provided you with $7 million? You will notice: zero transparency. These are public funds.”

Finance Minister Eric Girard, who’s also a hockey fan, made the decision to pay the $7 million subsidy and has since been criticized for doing so. He did not want to comment on those who refuse to cheer on the Kings.

“I let the people decide what the event is,” he said. “It’s a celebration of hockey. Those who want to go, go, those who don’t want to go, don’t go.”

The Kings will face the Boston Bruins on Thursday night at the Videotron Centre. On Saturday, they play against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

They are both preseason games.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews