QUEBEC — The federal government says it's "very interested" in the construction of a new arena for Quebec City, fuelling speculation the feds might help support the effort to bring back an NHL team.

The project is considered a prerequisite for the return of NHL hockey following the departure of the Nordiques in 1995.

All eyes are now on Ottawa, with the federal government being asked to fund 45 per cent of the arena. The provincial and municipal governments have already said they will fund the rest.

The feds are exploring the option.

"As far as a new arena is concerned, our government is very interested to know if this can be done," John Babcock, a spokesman for Transport Minister Chuck Strahl, said in an email Wednesday.

"As the prime minister has clearly said, we would be very happy if (the) Nordiques could make a comeback to Quebec City."

He says Ottawa is now reviewing a feasibility study that supports the construction of a new multi-purpose arena.

The report by Equipe-Quebec -- a group working to attract the Winter Olympics -- recommends building an arena. But it also suggests the building would run a deficit unless it attracted an NHL tenant.

"We understand the Equipe-Quebec report supports the construction of a new multipurpose venue which could host world-class sports events, cultural and community events, or potentially be home to an NHL team. We are reviewing the report," Babcock wrote.