Carey Price says he knew about Polytechnique shooting, apologizes to those impacted
Posted Dec 7, 2022 11:15:00 AM.
Canadiens goaltender Carey Price says he was aware of the 1989 Polytechnique shooting in Montreal – and the yearly commemoration to the victims – contrary to a statement provided by the Habs organization a day earlier.
“My heart and prayers are with the families and the victims of the 1989 École Polytechnique shooting today,” he wrote on his Instagram Tuesday, the anniversary of the shooting.
Price faced backlash over the weekend for a social media post criticizing the federal government’s proposed amendment to gun-control legislation. The amendment could lead to a ban on several semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.
The Canadiens player, an avid outdoorsman and hunter, voiced his opposition by posting a photo to Instagram where he is standing in a field wearing camouflage and holding a hunting weapon.
“I am not a criminal or a threat to society. What @justinpjtrudeau is trying to do is unjust,” Price wrote while tagging the prime minister.
The Liberal government later specified the gun Price is holding in the picture is legal and will remain so under the government’s legislation.
Carey Price’s original Instagram post
The timing of Price’s post was widely criticized – three days before the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, when a gunman killed 14 women at the Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989.
It’s an important day of remembrance for Quebecers, with special ceremonies and moments of silence.
In a statement the Montreal Canadiens said “Carey was unaware… of the unfortunate timing of his statement.”
Statement from the Montreal Canadiens pic.twitter.com/JoVuiSvR75
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 6, 2022
But the National Hockey League (NHL) goalie is contradicting his team.
“Despite a previous statement released, I did in fact know about the tragedy,” Price wrote. “I have been a member of the MTL community for 15 years and I understand the weight this day holds within the community.
“While I have no control over the timing of the amendment to Bill C-21 I stand by the opinions I’ve shared, I acknowledge that amplifying any conversation around guns this week may have upset some of those impacted most by the events here in 1989 and to them I apologize.”
Message from Carey Price on Instagram story: pic.twitter.com/U3JDOI8fsH
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) December 6, 2022
Part of the backlash was linked to the group Price tagged in his initial Instagram post: the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR). The group’s online shop offered 10 per cent off some merchandise to customers who used “POLY” as a promo code – referencing the university’s name.
That online promo code was widely condemned by gun-control advocates, including PolySeSouvient, a group that includes graduates and students of Polytechnique who press for stricter gun laws.
“I think the people of Montreal know my heart and my character and know I would never intentionally cause pain to those impacted by gun violence,” Price wrote.
