Marc-Antoine Desjardins bows out of municipal election, cuts ties with Balarama Holness
The merger of two Montreal political parties has fallen apart after Marc-Antoine Desjardins is bowing out of the race and cutting ties with Balarama Holness.
He also says he is disassociating himself from Holness and remarks he made at a joint press conference.
The ties that bind were clearly not steadfast even that day at the press conference stressing their united front. The pair were routinely at odds over their thoughts on language and the place of French and English in Montreal.
Standing next to each other, there were moments when Desjardins appeared disapproving and uncomfortable as Holness pledged a public consultation on declaring Montreal a bilingual city through a referendum.
Desjardins’s party, Ralliement pour Montreal, had prioritized protecting French in its platform. As the parties merged less than three weeks ago, both leaders spoke that day on the importance of finding common ground.
But it appears that whatever they did find has eroded.
“We tried to reconcile these two differences but unfortunately for him the pressure was too much and there was too much attacks, not enough chance of winning and he left. Politics isn’t for everybody,” said Holness.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening that Desjardins sent to a select number of French media, Desjardins said he was withdrawing as candidate for Outremont mayor and disassociating himself totally with Mouvement Montreal and its leader "on principle."
CTV News has reached out to his team for comment, and to obtain the original statement, but not hear back.
On Tuesday evening, Holness told CTV he was expecting this outcome. He said Desjardins had no chance to win in Outremont and that before they joined forces, Desjardins was originally approached by Denis Coderre's team and Ensemble Montreal.
Holness said the alternative would have been much more damaging to his campaign.
Before the parties merged, Mouvement Montreal had 44 candidates whereas now on paper they have 70.
“It changes nothing for Mouvement Montreal. The candidates are very happy with our platform, with the way the campaign is going,” said Holness.
Asked if he expects anyone from the Ralliement camp to leave, Holness said he doesn't expect many because "they want to win."
The issue of pursuing bilingual status for Montreal may be popular with English speakers, but political analyst Daniel Beland said in the French media, the idea has been harshly criticized – and many Francophones also don’t like it.
“This idea is not really well-received to say the least, and yes many people recognize that Montreal is de-facto is already bilingual, but even some Anglophones recognize that making it bilingual in an explicit way could hurt French,” he said.
Montrealers go to the polls to decide on a new mayor Nov. 7.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.