The labour dispute between the Nova Scotia Teachers Union and the provincial government is now reaching north in New Brunswick.
The union’s work-to-rule job action has shuttered high school sports, which in turn is having an impact on one of Canada's longest running high school hockey tournaments
Eleven teams from Nova Scotia dropped out of the 42nd Annual High School Hockey Classic due to the job action.
“We had to make a decision basically just before Christmas that we had to scale down the tournament,” said Dave Melanson, president of the tournament.
In turn, Moncton lost nearly half its revenue generated from the tournament.
“All the hotel rooms in Moncton were pretty well booked. You're talking players, their parents, relatives, friends,” Melanson said.
The registration fees alone mean a loss of more than $13,000. Organizers also had to cut its skills competition and bursary program.
“As far as our players are concerned, I think they're just grateful it's not happening in our province,” said Tim Smith, head coach of the Fredericton High Black Kats.
For New Brunswick teams, it also means the cancellation of all tournaments scheduled in Nova Scotia this season.
“I feel bad for them,” Shane Doio said, coach of the Louis-J-Robichaud Patriotes. “Some of them it may be their last year in high school. It's very difficult and I'm hoping it gets resolved as quickly as possible.”
Frank Hubley, co-ordinator of Nova Scotia’s Metro High School Hockey League, says preparations are being made for a makeshift midget league to give high schoolers a place to play.
Hubley adds the players are devastated to miss this tournament and would prefer to get back to their high school hockey teams.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.
