Canadiens owner Geoff Molson faces lobbyism-related fine for missing deadline

QUEBEC – Montreal Canadiens president Geoff Molson is facing a fine after failing to renew his company’s lobbyist registration on time.

Following an investigation by Quebec’s lobbyist commissioner, the province’s prosecutors office said Thursday the fine is for missing the deadline prescribed under the law for his company, L’Arena des Canadiens Inc.

Molson is facing a minimum $500 fine related to a breach of an article in the provincial act on transparency and ethics in lobbying.

Quebec rules stipulate a company must renew its lobbyist registration no later than 60 days following the end of its previous financial year.

A spokesman for Quebec’s lobbyist commissioner said L’Arena des Canadiens Inc., which owns the Canadiens hockey franchise and concert promoter Evenko, was 202 days late filing their documentation.

Molson was informed Aug. 18 and had 30 days to enter a plea.

Donald Beauchamp, a senior spokesman for the hockey club, said the snafu dates back to 2015 and has been resolved.

Beauchamp could not say exactly when it was settled, but Molson and the company’s status in 2016 are “in good standing.”