It's the last day for candidates in the municipal election to convince voters to support them, and Montreal's mayoral candidates are campaigning right up until the last minute.

A poll released Friday showed that Mayor Gerald Tremblay, Vision Montreal candidate Louise Harel and Projet Montreal candidate Richard Bergeron are in a statistical tie.

The Angus Reid poll conducted for La Presse found that Harel has the support of 34% of decided voters, followed by Bergeron, with 32 per cent.

Tremblay, who won 2005's mayoral election by a 25 point margin, fell slightly behind his opponents, with 30 per cent.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Tremblay said he was disappointed that issues such as economic development, culture and public transportation fell by the wayside during the campaign.

Tremblay said the media focused predominantly on ethics, and while ethics are important, he believes voters are also concerned about services.

"Compare the political platforms and compare the teams. Those commitments of Vision Montreal and Projet Montreal are both unrealistic and irresponsible," Tremblay said.

Meanwhile, Bergeron spent the day travelling to various boroughs in the city, thanking local campaign workers for their help.

"We are very confident tomorrow Montrealers will re-launch Montreal," he said.

For her part, Harel emphasized that she was reaching out to voters of all backgrounds.

"Those wishing for a major change will vote for my party -- including the Anglophone community," Harel said.

Voting day

Polling will be held across the province from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow.

In order to be eligible to vote, your name must appear on the electoral list, and you have to present one of the following documents:

  • your Qu�bec health insurance card
  • your Qu�bec driver's licence
  • your Canadian passport
  • your certificate of Indian status
  • your Canadian Forces Identification Card

For more information when and where you can vote, visit the website of the Director General of Elections at http://www.monvote.qc.ca/english/index.php

The numbers

  • There are 3,830 polling stations in 542 locations across the island of Montreal
  • There are 103 posts to fill at Montreal city hall: the mayor, 18 borough mayors, 46 councillors and 38 borough councillors
  • There are 1,100,208 registered voters
  • In the 2005 municipal election, voter turnout was just under 35%, compared to 49% in 2001.
  • Election Montreal is aiming for a 50% voter turnout this year

The returning officer for the Montreal election has appealed to citizens to take the time to go to the polls.

"Voting is the noblest of civic duties. It is also the very foundation of any democracy. By exercising our right to vote, we select those we entrust with the task of running our city, thus reinforcing our democratic institutions," Yves Saindon said in a statement released on Friday.

For more information, visit http://election-montreal.qc.ca/index.en.html