CDN-NDG Mayor Sue Montgomery granted a stay of proceedings on suspension ruling
Embattled Côte-Des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-De-Grâce (CDN-NDG) borough mayor Sue Montgomery was granted a stay of proceedings Tuesday by Superior Court Justice Mark Phillips and will remain in office for the foreseeable future.
"In the absence of a stay, Ms. Montgomery will clearly suffer serious personal and electoral disadvantage," Phillips wrote in the ruling.
The Quebec Municipal Commission had suspended the mayor for the remainder of her term after she was found guilty in June of 11 ethics violations.
These include failing to show respect and courtesy to staffers, as well as trying to suspend borough director Stéphane Plante.
The commission handed out the 120-day suspension, without pay, late Monday afternoon.
Montgomery's lawyer, Éric Oliver, told CTV News that his client was "disappointed," but "not surprised" about the decision, adding the mayor believes the commission "is not impartial in this matter."
"The last example of this abuse is that we received the decision at 12:30 p.m. today and the sanction is effective at midnight plus one minute tonight," he said. "So, she has less than 24 hours to contest the decision when other elected officials have days, and in some cases, weeks, before their sanctions become effective."
Montgomery has long challenged her guilty verdict, claiming to be under attack for trying to dismiss her director following his longstanding clash with cabinet chief Annalisa Harris.
The conflict took such proportions that Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante eventually kicked her out of her party, Projet Montréal.
The commission has argued Montgomery never admitted to any wrongdoing, including causing hardship to her fellow councillors and staffers.
In addition, it found that not only has the mayor refused to change her attitude, but she is likely to reoffend.
Montgomery's political opponent, Lionel Perez, mayoral candidate for CDN-NDG and member of Ensemble Montreal, issued a statement following the stay of proceedings saying he respected the court's decision.
"However, I am concerned for the citizens of the borough, who will continue to pay the price of its internal war with Projet Montreal and the instability that has been going on for over two years," he said. "Residents can count on me to put them first and foremost, and to serve and represent them as they deserve."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
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.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
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.
Drone footage shows Ukrainian village battered to ruins as residents flee Russian advance
The Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne has been battered by fighting, drone footage obtained by The Associated Press shows. The village has been a target for Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
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.
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.
Parliamentary report on Emergencies Act decision is 18 months past due — and counting
The erstwhile group of senators and MPs studying the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act over the "Freedom Convoy" was supposed to present its findings in December. December of 2022, that is.