Candidates request recounts in three tight races after Montreal's municipal election
The race for mayor in Pointe-Claire could come down to a recount after Tim Thomas came out on top after the municipal election but by a tiny margin.
Recounts have also been officially requested in two other tight races following the Nov. 7 election.
Incumbent John Belvedere is asking for the results in Pointe-Claire to be looked at again after losing the election by just 61 votes.
He has now hired a lawyer to challenge the results.
“Everyone needs to know where everybody stands and democracy is the most overriding consideration of everything we’re talking about here,” said lawyer Michael Polak in an interview Thursday.
Both Belvedere and Thomas declined CTV News’ requests for interviews.
Pointe-Claire has seen its share of contentious issues, starting with the development of condos at the site of the former Old Pioneer bar — something that was on the mind of voters at the ballot box.
“I don’t think we want Pointe-Claire to become the downtown of the West Island,” one voter told CTV.
However, she says a recount is the right move.
“I think there should be a recount because with 61 votes and I understand a lot of spoiled votes.”
Belvedere’s lawyer expects an answer from the court soon.
“You have a difference of 61 votes between the 2 top contenders Mr. Thomas and Mr. Belvedere and 55 spoiled ballots,” Polak said.
But even he points out being granted a recount is far from a slam dunk.
“When you are asking a judge he or she has the final word. And you never know what a judge is going to think or say, never assume anything,” he said.
“This is the court of law and the judge has the last word.”
With the contenders hoping the last word comes in the next few days, Pointe-Claire's next council meeting is set for Tuesday.
RECOUNTS REQUESTED IN OUTREMONT, TÉTREAULTVILLE
On Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for Mayor Valerie Plante's Projet Montreal confirmed to CTV that it will request a judicial recount in two close races won by just a few dozen votes.
Her party's candidate in the Tétreaultville district, Suzie Miron, lost by 42 votes to Ensemble Montreal's Julien Hénault-Ratelle.
The party is also challenging the results in the race for mayor of Outremont.
In that race, Laurent Desbois of Ensemble Montreal won by a margin of 23 votes against Philipe Tomlinson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.