Questions continue to swirl in P.E.I. legislature around NHL tourism deal

A deal between the P.E.I. government and the National Hockey League continued to be a hot topic in the Island's legislature Friday, with more questions about whether the province plans to renew the deal for another year, how much renewal would cost, and even the date a second year would begin. 

The controversial contract with the NHL saw the Island branded as the league's official travel destination, beginning in February 2024. 

The province paid $2.5 million for the first year, with options to renew for two more years — but the province later admitted it was not supposed to have revealed that dollar amount, because of a non-disclosure agreement with the league. 

On Wednesday of this week, the government tabled the contract in the legislature, but with all the costs redacted. 

"We're starting to think, maybe we were snookered on this deal," said Liberal MLA Robert Henderson, as he sought more answers in the legislature about the contract and costs related to the trip provincial officials took to land it.

He also asked whether the government plans to renew the contract for a second year, and if so, how much that would cost. 

Confusion over contract renewal date

A glance at the redacted contract itself shows year two of the contract actually began on July 1, 2024. It also reveals that Tourism P.E.I. was supposed to let the NHL know in mid-March 2024 whether the province wanted to continue the partnership into a second year. 

Tourism Minister Zack Bell, responding to a CBC News reporter's question about the details on Friday, said the province did not do that in March. Bell said the "misalignment" of dates is confusing because the NHL's fiscal year begins July 1, whereas the province's begins January 1. 

"We are still in discussions with the NHL on if we're going to renew," Bell said. "The contract ends on Dec. 31, 2024." 

He added: "I do think it's been beneficial, based on maybe the fact that our tourism numbers are up."

Final numbers for 2024 are not yet in, but statistics to date are pointing to a good year for the Island's tourism industry.  

Henderson countered that there's no way to draw a clear line between the contract and improved tourism industry revenues.

"As a former minister [of tourism], I would question whether there's a great return on investment for this amount of money," he said. 

'Government didn't redact anything': Bell 

Bell said he is waiting to see tourism numbers for the month of September and talk to the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. before renewing the contract with the NHL. He refused to say how much the government will spend if it does renew the arrangement. 

Bell also told the legislature why the contract was tabled with details such as dollar figures redacted. 

"Through the FOIPP [Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy] process, Madam Speaker, the NHL, who is a third party, they sought redaction," Bell said. "Government didn't redact anything."

Upon questioning after the session ended, Bell acknowledged that government officials had in fact made the redactions, at the request of the NHL and after the province sought legal advice. 

"The NHL had said, 'This is what we don't think should be shared,'" Bell said. 

The Liberals also confirmed to CBC News that the version of the contract the minister tabled on Wednesday was the same one the party had received through its own freedom of information request, and said if the minister hadn't tabled it, the Liberals would have. 

In the legislature, Henderson asked whether, as the contract says, the 2025 NHL awards show could potentially happen on P.E.I. Bell said that's an option and they are working with the NHL on it. 

The redacted contract shows Tourism P.E.I. could be on the hook for extra costs associated with the awards show if the Island is indeed chosen as a host location. Bell said the government will evaluate the pros and cons of that opportunity if it is presented.