National

CFL commissioner Mark Cohon makes final Grey Cup state of the union address

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 28 Nov, 2014 12:53 PM

VANCOUVER — CFL commissioner Mark Cohon says his departure comes at a time of stability for the league, with a new television deal and collective bargaining agreement with its players in place through 2018.

However, Cohon regrets being unable to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the Toronto Argonauts during his tenure.

Cohon, who will step down from his post in April after eight seasons, made his final Grey Cup state-of-the-league address today in Vancouver.

The Argos' lease at Rogers Centre expires after the 2017 season but the club has yet to secure a new venue.

The team averaged under 18,000 spectators this season but Cohon is confident a move to BMO Field — an outdoor facility whose seating capacity is being expanded to 32,000 — will kickstart interest in the franchise.

CFL board chairman Jim Lawson says negotiations are continuing between the Argos and Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment regarding the team securing a lease at BMO Field, and he's confident the issue will be resolved by this time next year.

Lawson adds that the league hopes to have Cohon's successor in place by April.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Baloney Meter: Does the income-splitting plan only benefit 15% of Canadians?

OTTAWA — "The prime minister and the finance minister in the past week haven't been able to say the words 'income splitting' in this House. They are running from their own policy. They clearly don't want to draw attention to the fact that 85 per cent of Canadian households get absolutely nothing from this plan." — Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons, Nov. 5.

Baloney Meter: Does the income-splitting plan only benefit 15% of Canadians?

Head of China's Amazon wants to sell 200,000 Canadian lobsters on his site

HANGZHOU, China — Chinese e-commerce juggernaut Alibaba hopes to sell 200,000 Canadian lobsters next week, its founder declared Friday — one dividend of Stephen Harper's ongoing effort to cultivate "pretty important" economic ties between the two countries.

Head of China's Amazon wants to sell 200,000 Canadian lobsters on his site

Justice minister sees possible silver lining in wake of harassment controversy

OTTAWA — Justice Minister Peter MacKay says the misconduct allegations made against two Liberal MPs — along with the sexual violence allegations made against former CBC host Jian Ghomeshi — could have a silver lining.

Justice minister sees possible silver lining in wake of harassment controversy

Canada signals it intends to buy at least four F-35s by 2017: Pentagon briefing

OTTAWA — A leaked Pentagon briefing says Canada has signalled to Washington that it wants to buy at least four F-35 stealth fighters, but a spokesman for Public Works Minister Diane Finley insisted Friday that no decision has been made.

Canada signals it intends to buy at least four F-35s by 2017: Pentagon briefing

Harper's first day in China heavy on economic ties

HANGZHOU, China — Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the pitch for Canadian exporters on Friday while also extolling Canada as an excellent place to do business during his third visit to China.

Harper's first day in China heavy on economic ties

Court accepts guilty pleas from ex-soldier allegedly planning attack on Veteran's Affairs office

CALGARY — A former Canadian soldier has pleaded guilty to firearms charges stemming from an alleged plan to attack the Calgary office of Veterans Affairs.