Pressure mounts as CFL enters second day of work stoppage
The wind blowing against the uprights was the only action at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon Monday morning as the league enters day two of the work stoppage.
Flo and Richard Coffey have been Saskatchewan Roughriders season ticket holders for the last ten years and with the pre season just a week away, they are eager to see an agreement.
“We would like to go to the game on the 23rd but we do understand where the players are coming from,” said Richard Coffey. “They (players) do need some protection.
Seven of the nine teams have cancelled training camp with Alberta labour laws preventing Edmonton and Calgary players from striking until Tuesday.
TSN CFL Insider Dave Naylor said although discussions have broken off, it does not mean the two sides are not communicating.
“I think there is a sense that there's a bit of a cooling off period needed here and it may in fact be the mediator that has been working with the two sides throughout this process, that brings them back together perhaps later this week,” said Naylor.
Naylor added there is a sense of urgency among the CFL, especially rookie players.
“Every team has 50 rookies in camp and it's hard for rookies to make a football team the shorter the camp gets because veterans know the playbook, know the coaches, and know the teammates while rookies don't,” said Naylor. “So the less time you give them to acclimatize themselves, the harder it is for them to make a team.”
Pressure is mounting on both sides to get a deal done.
“The longer this goes on, pressure builds,” said Naylor. “Pressure builds on the players, on the owners and this is basically the game or sport of the collective bargaining.”
Fans also hope an agreement happens soon so they can enjoy the sport they love
“Sooner rather than later, but they need to get something,” said Coffey. “They need to have some kind of protection as a player.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre joins soldier protesting COVID-19 mandates in march through Ottawa ahead of Canada Day
Canadian Forces veteran James Topp was joined by Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre on his march through Ottawa today, as part of the final leg of his cross-country march to protest COVID-19 vaccine requirements.

Supreme Court says expanded rape shield laws are constitutional
The Supreme Court of Canada says the expanded rules to further prevent a sexual assault complainant's past from being used against them in a trial are 'constitutional in their entirety.'
Snowbirds cancel Canada Day fly-over in Ottawa
The traditional Canada Day fly-past over Ottawa by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds has been cancelled, following a problem with the aircraft's emergency ejection parachute that grounded the fleet.
Canada's top doctor says talks underway to obtain more vaccine to fight monkeypox
Canada's top doctor says negotiations are underway for more vaccine to curtail monkeypox as confirmed cases reached 278 nationwide.
Missing luggage has become flight passengers’ latest headache amid flight delays
Exasperating delays at airports are increasing claims of lost or missing baggage, which one aviation expert blames on staff shortages.
More Canadian troops headed to Latvia, Trudeau says at NATO summit
Canada will be sending more troops to Latvia as part of a pledge to upgrade and strengthen the NATO battlegroup it is leading there, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.
Quebec group goes to court over Governor General's lack of French
A group of Quebecers is going to court to argue that Mary Simon's appointment as governor general should be invalidated because she isn't fluent in French.
What tenants can do if their landlord plans to increase rent
With increasing rent prices likely to be the reality for many Canadian tenants, some may be wondering how to navigate rising costs, or whether any course of action can be taken, if any. Legal experts across the country share their advice on how to handle a rent hike.
'What were they waiting for?' Woman inside Saanich bank amid shootout describes 'calm' gunmen
A woman who was trapped inside a bank during a robbery and fatal shootout with police near Victoria on Tuesday says there is one question still plaguing her a day later: Why didn't the gunmen just leave with the money?