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If there was one item that had the potential to backfire on the CFL big time in negotiations with the CFLPA on the new collective bargaining agreement, it was the battle over the import/non-import ratio.

Canadian starters, especially players who are considered “ratio breakers” are expensive. An American fresh out of college, on the other hand, can be signed for the league minimum salary. So to go from seven Canadian starters to five, as was put on the table, would cut costs.

To me, the most important word in Canadian Football League is Canadian. And I believe there would have been a significant negative fan reaction if that had been allowed to get that one through.

You should know that the Edmonton Eskimos off-season planning wasn’t affected by that potential detour.

“Ultimately what wins championships for you in this league is having great Canadian talent,” said head coach Jason Maas.

Traditionally, when it comes to Canadians, Edmonton gets it and has a philosophy in place to put it into play.