No Help For Jets, Quebec

The National Hockey League’s Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques, in jeopardy of being sold and relocated to the United States, were told they cannot depend on money from the federal government to help them stay in Canada.

“There’s a hard dose of reality in these matters,” Human Resources Minister Lloyd Axworthy said, “things that take place that are not anyone’s bailiwick but a combination of events.”

Axworthy spoke after meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Finance Minister Paul Martin and the owners of the Jets and Nordiques.

Barry Shenkarow, president and coowner, said the meeting did nothing to clarify whether his Jets have played their final game in Winnipeg.