Vancouver councillor pushes for an end to the NHL lockout

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A Vancouver city councillor is hoping the rest of council will be on-board with sending a letter to the NHL and players’ association in an attempt to end the lockout.

Councillor Geoff Meggs says the last couple of months have been rough for fans and the local economy; that’s why he’s pushing for council to support a motion to tell those involved to find a solution.

“There’s damage happening, especially the businesses that are dependent on the hockey sector to make a go of it — places around the arena,” says Meggs.

He says many people are suffering from lost wages, thanks to the labour dispute. “That’s hundreds and hundreds of people here in Vancouver.”

“These are the folks that serve the hotdogs and pour the beer and clean the ice and run the Zamboni… you name it, are not getting paid,” explains Meggs.

The idea originally stemmed from city council in Ottawa.

“Mayor Gregor Robertson got contacted by the mayor of Ottawa, who has had a similar motion passed in Ottawa. The mayor proposed that NHL cities all pass that kind of a motion to light a fire under both sides to get them talking. In the meantime, they have started talking, and I hope by before the meeting the motion is no longer needed,” adds Meggs.

He tells us getting hockey back on would boost businesses around the arena as well as lift the city’s spirit. “To me, it’s a bigger issue than just for Canucks fans. So much [of it] is the spirit of the city and so much a part of our national pride not just being a Canucks fan.”

The motion will then be up for discussion at the next council meeting on Tuesday, if the lockout is still on.

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