RADISSON, Quebec - Premier Jean Charest suggested Sunday that the coach of a future Quebec City NHL team should be required to speak French.
Mr. Charest made the statement during a press conference for his Northern Plan.
The Quebec government has promised to pay half the cost of a new arena to be built in Quebec, hoping to attract a team to replace the Nordiques, which moved to Colorado in 1995.
Quebec City has entered into a management agreement with Quebecor, which is seeking an NHL franchise.
Charest made the comments while on a trip up north with Quebec City investors.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Robert-Bourassa dam, Mr. Charest said that at the very least the coach of a future Quebec City team should speak French.
Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume, who flanked him, said that there should be no doubt that the coach should speak French.
In December Culture Minister Christine St-Pierre said that that the Montreal Canadiens' coach should speak French, "out of respect to the fans."
