HAMILTON – A tour of Tim Hortons Field makes it clear that performances at the 110th Gray Cup at the stadium in Hamilton will be primarily in English. This is shocking on the eve of the event, which also involves a club from Quebec. Welcome to the Gray Cup!
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“We want to be respectful to our partners in Quebec, our partners in Montreal, the Alouettes, and to our French-speaking fans,” Canadian Football League commissioner Randy Ambrosie assured earlier this week in Hamilton when asked about the national anthem was performed only in English during the Eastern finals in Toronto.
Photo Benoit Rioux
Speaking on behalf of the Montreal organization, Alouettes president Mark Weightman said he was “very disappointed” by the situation.
The national anthem issue has been resolved and it has been ensured that the rendition of O Canada at Sunday’s Gray Cup final will be bilingual. But the presentation cannot remain like this.
Still in both languages?
Many efforts within the communications department to present a bilingual event are commendable, but somewhere the organization and logistics of this 110th Gray Cup were lacking. Obviously, no one would have expected the Alouettes’ victory over the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern final… And even there, the debate remains: Shouldn’t this great celebration of Canadian football always be featured in every edition? both languages?
Because there is a football game… The Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ absence of pass catcher Dalton Schoen for the finale seems increasingly likely. Nic Demski also didn’t practice earlier this week, but you can bet he’ll be in the uniform. It’s no big surprise in the Alouettes camp that forward Pier-Olivier Lestage remains on the sidelines with a leg injury. The two clubs must announce their line-up later on Saturday.