MONTREAL, Quebec (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — A controversial bill designed to protect a public-private partnership over a proposed arena in Quebec City has been passed by Quebec's provincial legislature, after months of contentious debate.
According to the Canadian Press, Bill 204 seeks to block legal action to prevent Quebecor, a major media conglomerate, from operating the planned $400 million arena.
Quebecor's deal with the city would see them provide a single payment of $33 million followed by an additional $3 million a year, as well as 15% of the arena's proceeds along with a committment to use the arena to support community events.
"We now have all the necessary tools to reach the objective we set out to bring the Nordiques back to Quebec City. The population of Quebec City and all hockey fans can count on our unwavering determination in our ongoing representations to the National Hockey League," said Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau.
Bill 204 was introduced after a former city manager announced plans for legal action, claiming that the agreement between the City and Quebecor was illegal and circumvented the city's public-tendering process. The bill delcares that the Quebecor is entirely legal and is in concordance with municipal contracting guidelines. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
