In the U.S., we have separation of church and state. In Montreal, they have separation of hockey and state.
ESPN.com reports that an already hockey-crazy city has become even worse, as a proposal surfaced that would involve postponing a federal leaders' debate so that it didn't interfere with the first game of the Canadiens' playoff series against Boston on Thursday night.
Gilles Duceppe, leader of Bloc Quebecoise, said that if given the choice, hockey fans would choose to watch the game, and the debate would get more viewership in Montreal if it was moved to a different date or time.
"All I'm asking is that the debate take place Wednesday so that Quebecers have as much access to this debate as Canadians," he said.
"We all know that hockey is very popular in Canada and in Quebec," he added, "which is why it would be a better idea to push the French debate back to allow hockey fans to watch the debate as well as the game on Thursday night."
A spokesman for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is being a good sport about the idea, saying the decision is up to the debate broadcasters and he would show up on the date they choose.
