Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens have both apologized after the goaltender expressed support for a pro-gun organization just days before the anniversary of the 1989 Polytechnique Massacre.
"On Saturday, Carey Price posted a statement in support of the CCFR's opposition to proposed federal gun control legislation. As previously stated, Carey was unaware of the CCFR's recent marketing campaign nor was he aware of the unfortunate timing of his statement," the Canadiens said in a statement Monday. "The Montreal Canadiens wish to express their sincere apology to any and all who have been offended or upset by the discourse that has arisen over this matter in recent days."
The apology comes after Price showed support for the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR), a lobby group opposed to the federal government's gun-control legislation, otherwise known as Bill-21.
Recent amendments to which weapons are banned by the bill have upset Canadian hunters, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that his government was listening to feedback and had not finalized the list.
"I love my family, I love my country and I care for my neighbour. I am not a criminal or a threat to society. What @justinpjtrudeau is trying to do is unjust. I support the @ccfr_ccdaf to keep my hunting tools. Thank you for listening to my opinion," Price wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday, alongside a photo of him holding a gun.
However, the group Price showed support for has been criticized for recent promotions it has run mocking the Polytechnique Massacre, when 14 women were murdered and another 13 were injured during a shooting on Dec. 6, 1989, at a university in Montreal. Nathalie Provost, who survived the shooting, told the CBC that CCFR had used the promotion code "POLY" to give people 10 per cent off purchases of merchandise with the lobby group's branding.
In a statement on Twitter Monday, Price said he did not intend to disrespect anyone with his support for CCFR.
"My views are my own and I do believe in them. The only reason I bring up this issue is because it is what’s being brought up now and not out of disrespect to anyone. No, I did didn’t (sic) agree with the promotional code either," Price said in a series of tweets Monday. "I continue to stand beside my fellow hunters and sport shooters who have legally acquired our property and use in a safe manner."
The Canadiens said they had made a donation to the "Week of the White Rose" campaign which supports women's growth and development in STEM education.
"On the eve of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we reflect on the lives that were shattered 33 years ago in one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history," the Canadiens said. "Our thoughts are with the 14 women who lost their lives on December 6, 1989, at École Polytechnique, as well as with their families, friends, and the survivors of that tragedy."
