Alberta hockey fans are hoping Calgary and Edmonton can cash in on federal funding for new arenas.
"If they're going to do it for one, they should do it for all instead of just buying votes in Quebec," says Brian Speirs, a hockey fan in Calgary.
Speirs is referring to the fact that Ottawa seems poised to contribute $180-million to help build a new hockey arena in Quebec City in hopes of bringing an NHL team back to the city.
On Thursday, the prime minister also hinted federal funding could be on the way for other professional sports teams. "Any treatment we're prepared to give to one major city, we're prepared to give to all," says Stephen Harper.
The Calgary Flames organization has been talking about building a new hockey arena and Ken King hopes to get a piece of the federal funding pie.
"I think it's very difficult now not to have some degree of public participation but again I think the degree of public participation is based entirely on the structure of the deal, where it is, and the impact it might have in the city," says King who is the president and CEO of the Calgary Flames.
Tom Flanagan, a political scientist at the University of Calgary, says when it comes to appeasing taxpayers it would be wise for Harper to follow through on his comments.
"If it's just a one-time cash grant to the Quebec City then I think it'll be received very negatively. If it is part of a broader program, that will be open to other cities for multi-use facilities, then it might be acceptable," says Flanagan.
Even if the federal government comes through, it's not likely Calgary will see a new arena any time soon.
Premier Ed Stelmach says there will be no provincial cash for new arenas. "We're prepared to provide the infrastructure to the buildings…but the building itself will be private sector," says Stelmach.
