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Sept 17/10 - Pt 1: Habs Politics

Parti Quebecois officials have accused the Montreal Canadiens of being a federalist propaganda tool ... even part of a plot against Quebec separatism. The team which was once a cultural icon in Quebec now has almost no French-speaking players. We're asking what obligation the team has to honour its history and whether the charges laid against it are fair.

Listen to Part One: (Pop-up)

Today's Friday guest host was Ian Hanomansing in Vancouver.

PART ONE

It's Friday, September 17th.

Printers in Pakistan say Afghan politicians have paid them to produce thousands of fake voter cards for this weekend's parliamentary election.

Currently, President Karzai has promised to investigate ... first thing Monday morning.

This is The Current.

Habs Politics - Guy d'Aoust

We started this segment with Pauline Marois, the leader of the Parti Quebecois. And some of her colleagues have gone further suggesting that the Montreal Canadiens -- once a cultural touchstone for French-speaking Quebecers -- have become a federalist propaganda tool.

There's been a simmering sense of angst about the team's identity for quite a few years. But now, the team's new owner -- the decidedly federalist Molson family ... as well as the team's brand new captain -- American Brian Gionta -- have brought the issue into a much sharper focus.

We heard from some Habs fans yesterday outside the Montreal Canadiens home, the Bell Centre.

Guy d'Aoust has observed this cultural identity crisis up close as a longtime sports reporter for Radio-Canada. He was in Montreal.

Articles: Habs dismiss PQ complaint that they're a Canadian propaganda tool / PQ leader weighs in on shortage of francophone Montreal Canadiens / PQ's Pierre Curzi 'exposes' Habs' plot against francophone players

Habs Politics - Jean Perron

Well as we heard, Habs fans have long been preoccupied with how many French-speaking players are on their beloved team. And it's an issue that Jean Perron is familiar with. He was the head coach of the Canadiens from 1984 to 1988. His team won a Stanley Cup in 1986. Jean Perron was in Montreal.

Habs Politics - Olivier Bauer

We gave the last word on les Canadiens to Olivier Bauer. He's a professor in the Faculty of Theology at the Universite de Montreal. He teaches a course called The Religion of the Montreal Canadiens. And his own fascination with the Habs began when he was a child growing up in Switzerland.


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