I am asking the NHL to change their decision and the Montreal Canadiens to continue this practice. If players don’t want to wear it, let them warm up the bench because banning LGBTQIA+ people from sport means putting them on the bench of banning.https://t.co/KomnZJ2pQq

— Manon Masse (@ManonMasse_Qs) July 4, 2023

“If players don’t want to wear it, let them warm up the bench because banning LGBTQIA+ people from sport means putting them on the bench of ban,” she said in her plea.

But now the Canadians have officially reacted, as reported in particular by TVA Sports.
“For seven years, the Montreal Canadiens have proudly supported the LGBTQIA+ community. […] We will continue our efforts to promote diversity and inclusion both within our organization and in our community.”
“The games our organization chooses to promote that hockey is for everyone […] in our actions to demonstrate, as a team, our support and respect for our fans, members of our organization, athletes and communities affected by discrimination and inequality.”

Recall that recent controversy against the LGBTQ movement in the United States had prompted some NHL players to refuse to wear the rainbow jersey during practice, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman decided to end this practice of the cancel the program because it had become too much of a distraction.
In addition, unfortunately, several other cause or group celebrations have also been put on hold, notably the Aboriginal Celebrations, Black History Celebrations, the Military Tribute Night and the Night Against Cancer.
It is certainly a sad setback for all these equally important causes!