Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has added his take to the growing firestorm that was caused by the Montreal Canadiens selecting 18-year-old Logan Mailloux during the recent NHL Draft.
Mailloux, a native of Belle River, Ontario, was fined last year for violating a Swedish law regarding invasion of privacy and defamation after he shared with his teammates on the SK Lejon hockey club photos of a sexual encounter that he had.
According to CBC News, the prime minister was conducting a press conference in Moncton, New Brunswick when he delivered the following remarks:
“As a life-long Habs fan, I am deeply disappointed by the decision. I think it was a lack of judgment by the Canadiens organization. I think they have a lot of explaining to do to Montrealers and fans right across the country.”
And the firestorm doesn’t end there. CBC also reported that as a result of the controversy that has clouded the Canadiens’ selection of Mailloux, three of the teams’ major sponsors—the St. Hubert BBQ chicken restaurant chain, the Jean Coutu pharmacy chain and the Desjardins Group financial services cooperative—have each released statements in which they are seriously reconsidering their working relationship with the Canadiens’ organization.
“We are currently analyzing the situation concerning our partnership with them. We believe in second chances, but isn’t it a bit too early?” said Josée Vaillancourt, who is head of communications for St-Hubert.Isabelle Charest, the provincial minister for the status of women, had this to say about the controversy: “The choice to draft Mr. Mailloux doesn’t align with the positive change I want to bring to sports and society as a whole.”
Although Mailloux released a video statement that stated his regrets for doing what he called a “stupid and egotistical act,” the Canadiens have not yet released a statement regarding the controversy, but plans to do so within the next few days.
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