Montreal municipal debate: Plante focuses on ecology, Coderre on international issues
Incumbent mayor Valérie Plante focused Wednesday on the environment and quality of life in Montreal, while former mayor Denis Coderre presented an international vision of the city, during the second debate of the municipal elections, organized by the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations.
"The city must not behave like a village, but like a metropolis," Coderre argued, adding that Montreal must strengthen its diplomatic presence in the world and protect its hold on the headquarters of organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency or the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Plante, meantime, chose to capitalize on the city's position as a green leader to ensure its influence, citing the fact that Montreal was the only municipality to speak at the UN climate summit in 2019. She said that the "public transit projects, the eastern REM and (the extension of) the Blue line" will play into this, as well as allowing for a better quality of life. "Montreal is becoming a green city. (...) More and more tourists are coming for that."
Coderre also pledged to work towards the ecological transition, reounting that "it was under our administration that we became a member of C40," a network of cities around the world committed to the most ambitious targets of the Paris Agreement.
Both candidates agreed to defend the French language, attract foreign investors and support newcomers.
CLOSE RACE
Coderre and Plante are neck and neck, with 37 per cent and 36 per cent of voting intentions, respectively, according to a Léger-Le Devoir poll published last week.
The other two mayoral candidates, Balarama Holness (8 per cent) and Marc-Antoine Desjardins (5 per cent), were not invited to the debate.
The first debate was held last week by Tourisme Montréal. A third debate will be held on Oct. 18, this time organized by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
Municipal elections will be held on Nov. 6 and 7, 2021.
- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Sept. 29, 2021. This article was produced with financial support from Facebook and The Canadian Press News Fellowships.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.