Some MPs threw a flag at the Canadian Football League rule changes announced this week, while others welcomed them as a way to bring the game to a larger audience.

On Monday, CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston unveiled rule changes set to take effect next season. They include a modification to the “rouge” — which awards a single point for a ball kicked out of the end zone, often on a missed field goal attempt — a standardized play clock, and having teams on opposite sidelines.

“Anything that results in fewer rouges I have a little bit of skepticism for,” joked Saskatchewan Conservative MP Andrew Scheer, whose brother-in-law is Super Bowl-winning punter and CFL all-star Jon Ryan.

“I want to understand a bit more about the play clock change. I think one of the best things about the CFL is

See Full Page