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Hockey costs foisted on back of taxpayers

NANAIMO – Government shold take away tax=free perks from NHL owners.

To the Editor,

As I understand the National Hockey League lockout, the problem is that there is a large pot of money that is available for distribution.

The players believe the owners do not require that money and the owners believe the players do not require that money.

I respectfully suggest both parties are correct and that the ‘spare’ money be used to pay the expenses that are presently being foisted on taxpayers.

For example, the league could cover the $6 million the Edmonton Oilers team owner wants the City of Edmonton to pay as an annual tribute, and the future needs for arena maintenance, renovation and replacement throughout the league.

If the league has difficulty in coming to this same obvious conclusion, perhaps the Canadian government could suggest the tax-free corporate boxes, annual unfunded services and tax subsidies could be appropriately withdrawn.

David Elmore

Nanaimo