Contrary to what the Canadian had said, Carey Price said Tuesday he was aware of the tragedy at the Polytechnique. Which means one of the two parties is lying, public image management experts say.
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And “the basic rule in crisis management is not to lie,” explains Sophie Villeneuve, Vice President of Strategy at Catapulte.
In Ms. Villeneuve’s eyes, “the Canadian becomes part of a credibility deficit because there is a formal statement that has been disavowed”.
” To the [l’organisation]this could affect credibility with journalists and the public if she’s trying to deflect a story or make an apology,” she says.
PHOTO FROM SOPHIE VILLENEUVE’S LINKEDIN PAGE
Sophie Villeneuve Vice President, Strategy at Catapulte
“It’s not from a recruit who could plead that she’s not used to reconciling herself with public affairs,” adds Ms. Villeneuve. Price, he’s had a mic under his nose after every game, after every practice for 15 years. He knows how it all works. »
On Monday, France Margaret Bélanger, Groupe CH President, Sport and Entertainment, told Radio-Canada that Price was “unaware of the tragic events of December 6, 1989.”
Price was unaware of the Canadian Coalition for Gun Rights’ marketing initiatives [CCDAF]which offered customers to use the promo code “POLY” to get a discount when purchasing items with his image.
It understands “the weight”
Then Price denied that claim via his Instagram account on Tuesday.
“Despite a previously released statement, I was aware of the tragedy,” he wrote, also noting that he “has been a part of the Montreal community for 15 years” and “understands the weight that this day represents in the community.” »
“Either Carey Price didn’t know about it but didn’t want to carry the weight of saying he was in Montreal for 15 years and was unaware of such a tragedy, or the Canadian wanted to apologize to him and not face how heinous such a claim is.” , wonders Ms. Villeneuve.
“Obviously the coordination wasn’t done or one of the two parties didn’t tell the truth, it’s possible,” analyzed Patrick Howe, President of Consulate RP, in an interview with LCN.
A “Betrayal of Trust”
Mr Howe also said he was “curious to know how Canadians are doing. [maintenant] react”, considering that the possibilities of the organization were “limited”.
Ms. Villeneuve, she believes “that someone has to take the blame for a lie and that is a breach of trust”. “Public it is a very high price to pay. »
France Margaret Bélanger and Geoff Molson, the owner and president of the Canadiens, will not be giving an interview on the subject, and the organization also responded to Journal inquiries.
“Indecent”
The controversy echoed through to the National Assembly on Tuesday, the day the tragedy was commemorated. The goalkeeper was criticized by liberals and solidarity.
Quebec Liberal Party interim leader Marc Tanguay judged Price was showing “a lack of judgement,” while Québec solidaire spokeswoman Manon Massé called the Number 31’s support for the CCDAF “indecent.”
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon instead attacked those who “misinformed” Price. “What I want to know is who [l’]approached in preparation for this excursion? commented the leader of the Parti Québécois.
Even if the controversy of the last few days “is not good for anyone” and “it is certain that there was an exchange that did not take place,” believes Bernard Motulsky, a professor in UQAM’s Department of Social and Public Communications Carey Price possibly “put the lid on the pot a bit”.
“Those are excuses,” he explained. That’s all there is to say,” said Mr. Motulsky.
– In collaboration with Jean-François Chaumont and Gabriel Côté, agency QMI
The thread of events
November 22
The condition
Liberal MP Paul Chiang, a former police officer, is proposing to amend Canada’s C-21 gun control law. He wants to change the Penal Code’s definition of “prohibited weapons” to include types other than those already banned. The proposal sparks a heated debate.
end of November
The disruptive element
Photo from Instagram account @cp0031 (Carey Price)
Through its online store, the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, a pro-gun lobby, is offering up to 10% discounts on clothing and miscellaneous merchandise bearing its brand image for customers using the promotional code “POLY”. A promotion related to the December 6, 1989 massacre at the Polytechnique Montreal in which 14 women were murdered.
3rd of December
Price adds his two cents
Carey Price posted a photo of him on his Instagram account, where we see him standing in a field in a camouflage suit and holding a shotgun. A publication aimed at sharply denouncing Bill C-21. He castigates Justin Trudeau and shows his support for the Canadian Coalition for Gun Rights.
“I love my family, I love my country and I take care of my neighbors. I am not a criminal or a threat to society. What Justin Trudeau is trying to do is unfair. I support the CCFR (Canadian Coalition for Gun Rights) to keep my hunting tools. »
December 5th
The call for calm
Photo archive, Agency QMI
Marco Mendicino, The Federal Secretary of Public Safety clarifies that the weapon Price holds in the photo, a .12 caliber Benelli with a detachable magazine, is legal and will remain so after the passage of Bill C-21 and its amendments. “We’re not targeting hunters, gun owners. We aim for offensive weapons, style weapons
from war. »
Midday
Firefighters at work
Photo archive, Chantal Poirier
The Canadian is trying to put out the fire on different fronts. First, France Margaret Bélanger, President, Sports and Entertainment of Groupe CH, told a Radio-Canada reporter that Price was “not aware of the tragic events of December 6, 1989 or of the Coalition’s recent marketing initiatives.” Chantal Machabee, Vice President, Hockey Communications, there is a similar statement on the airwaves from TVA Sports.
afternoon
The party line
After the morning’s practice session in Vancouver, Canada’s teammates and coaches take the line of play and repeat the same message. “I’m not sure Carey is aware of everything that happened. […] Circumstance-wise, the date is getting closer, but Carey is a sensitive guy, a family man. I don’t think he had malicious intentions. »
late afternoon
He responds on Twitter
This time around, the 35-year-old athlete raged in two separate posts via his Twitter account.
First: “My opinion is my own and I stand by it. The only reason I brought this up is because of what is being discussed and not to show respect to anyone. I also do not agree with the promotional code. »
He then adds: “I continue to support my hunting and shooting friends who have acquired their property legally and safely. »
evening
The rescue attempt
Once again, the Canadians attempt to cover up the affair by announcing that they made a donation to the White Rose Campaign, an organization affiliated with Polytechnique Montréal. In the same press release, which reiterates that “Carey was unaware of the recent CCDAF marketing campaign or the unintended timing of his testimony,” the Montreal organization “apologizes to anyone who is offended or upset by recent discourse about it.” are. »
6th of December
The Canadian’s point
Mocked on various platforms, Price refuses to plead ignorance, going against the message conveyed by the Habs the day before. On Instagram there is the following statement: “Despite a previously published statement, I was aware of the tragedy. I’ve been a part of the Montreal community for 15 years and I understand the weight this day carries in the community. »
He continues: “Since I have no control over the timing of tabling this amendment, the opinions I shared remain the same. However, I understand that the talks about guns have upset many people affected by the events of 1989 this week, and I apologize for that. »
–Jonathan Bernier