It was François Legault’s turn on Thursday to defend the $6.5 million subsidy that his government granted to the Presidents Cup, this prestigious golf tournament currently taking place in Montreal.
The day before, the opposition parties had made a big deal out of this affair, recalling the record budget deficit of $11 billion and the glaring needs in several public sectors and within community organizations.
Bombarded with questions, the Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx, assured that the Presidents Cup would attract 45,000 foreign tourists and generate spinoffs of $71 million for Quebec.
This subsidy to the PGA — whose annual revenues are $1.9 billion — surfaces just a few days before the subsidized preparatory matches of the Los Angeles Kings which will take place at the Videotron Center in Quebec.
The wealthy professional hockey team benefits from a subsidy from the Quebec government that could reach $7 million.
For the parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, there is no longer any doubt that Quebec is carving out a reputation as an “automatic teller machine for professional sports millionaires”.
“Can the Prime Minister recognize that $6.5 million for professional golfers is simply unjustifiable? » he said during question period on Thursday.
From his seat in the Salon rouge, Mr. Legault defended himself by mentioning budget increases, particularly in education. Then, he spoke of the importance of supporting “certain activities that bring economic benefits.”
“What Québec solidaire does is to say: “We should not […] give nothing to businesses, we should not help artistic, cultural… or sporting activities if you prefer, which have spin-offs,” he replied.
He also made a link with Formula 1. “All countries are fighting to be able to have F1 races because it attracts tourists. What is important to calculate is: ‘Are there more benefits than the cost we invest?’” he argued.
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