VIDEO: TV comedy show makes fun of street hockey ban in Mississauga

A television comedy show that’s broadcast coast-to-coast in Canada took direct aim at Mississauga tonight (Nov. 26).

The CBC program 22 Minutes, which spoofs TV news shows, did a segment on the city’s ban on street hockey.

Lifting a theme of a popular crime drama, the segment titled Law & Order Mississauga: Street Hockey Unit, shows cops rousting kids trying to enjoy a pick-up game in front of their homes

“Don’t you know the city council of Mississauga voted to ban street hockey?” a fake officer scolds a youngster.

Another cop goes down in a heap after one of the kids shoots a ball at him.

“Everyone’s always telling us to get off our phones. Go play outside. How are you supposed to do that if you ban street hockey?” comes a response from the “law-breaking” gang.

Mississauga recently voted to keep in place a long-standing ban on hockey and other sports on city streets.

The city decided to maintain the status quo and act only on complaints when it comes to enforcement rather than lift a ban that would put it in a position of liability if someone got hurt.

Adding to that, the city’s director of enforcement has said no charges have ever been laid against street hockey players in Mississauga’s 50-year history.

Still, that rationale didn’t stop the cast and writers of 22 Minutes from taking a shot at what some consider the heavy-handed approach the city has taken against the century-old tradition of playing hockey on the road.

Even online commentators joined in by extending the joke to include Canada’s justice system: “People arrested for street hockey will be out on bail and be repeat offenders by playing street hockey the next day,” said one pundit with far too much insight.