As the CFL and CFL Players’ Association continue discussing amending their collective bargaining agreement to allow for a shortened season, government funding remains key to football being played in 2020.
But another source said following the CFL’s initial specific-funding request, it was directed by Ottawa to investigate other existing programs. In June, CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie spoke before an Ontario committee on finance. He is also a co-chair of the Professional Sport Council established by Ontario sports minister Lisa MacLeod.
The BDC is essentially a bank with lending criteria and the CFL is unlikely to qualify given its current financial state — Ambrosie has stated the league lost collectively upwards of $20 million last season. To secure financial assistance — essentially a loan — the league would likely require the Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C. governments to provide some kind of guarantee on any aid, something a source said Ottawa is trying to help facilitate.
On Wednesday, MP Kevin Waugh asked Guilbeault in the House of Commons if the $42.5 million in government assistance for the CFL was forthcoming. The Heritage minister didn’t come out and say no directly, but stopped well short of guaranteeing the financial aid. That prompted Waugh, a former sports journalist, to quip: “So I take it then, Mr. chair, the answer would be no to the Canadian Football League?”The CFL and CFLPA continue to negotiate amendments to their collective bargaining agreement that would allow for a shortened season.
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