QUEBEC CITY -- Known as a fighter and one of the last big-city mayors untainted by corruption, Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume’s approval ratings may be sky-high as he seeks a third term in office, but critics say things are far from perfect at city hall.
Labeaume won 25 out of 27 seats on city council in the last election with a promise to get approval for a new hockey arena. That $400 million arena is now being built.
Now, he wants a new tougher deal with public sector unions to reduce municipal employees' pension plans, as Quebec City shoulders an $800 million debt.
“Those are very serious financial problems for the future,” said Labeaume, adding that citizens can't be expected to pay for generous public pensions that are no longer sustainable.
Other cities, he said, face the same problem but aren't tackling it.
“The only problem is that I'm the only one who's talking about it,” he said.
Labeaume said people are ready for a new relationship with the unions.
“The shareholders of the city will decide what kind of contract they want to have with the unions; I love it,” said Labeaume.
Quebec city hall reporter Valerie Gaudreau of Le Soleil said Labeaume's strength – a confidence burgeoning on immodesty – could also be a weakness
“He has to take care of not being too arrogant because arrogance is something that basically could be dangerous for him,” she said.
Labeaume's only opponent as he seeks his third term in office said the mayor is no spendthrift, with Quebec City's public debt higher per capita than in Laval or Montreal.
“So this is worse here in Quebec City where everything seems to be fine, everything seems to be great and the mayor is in control. He's absolutely not, he's angry most of the time; he doesn't listen to the people,” said political opponent David Lemelin.
Labeaume and Lemelin will face off in a debate in mid-October.
The election is Nov. 3.
