Quotes

THINGS THEY SAID IN MONTREAL THIS WEEK

Saturday

JUNE 21

“Obviously we are disappointed to see an individual like Gerard Gallant leave our organization, but on behalf of the management team and the entire coaching staff, I would like to wish Gerard the best of luck as the new head coach of the Florida Panthers.”

– Marc Bergevin, Canadiens general manager, in a statement about the departure of the Habs’ assistant coach.

Sunday

JUNE 22

“They confirm what we instinctively feel and probably all know: the Fête nationale doesn’t hold high appeal for non-francophones ... because their perception is that it’s become very politicized.”

– Jack Jedwab, of The Association for Canadian Studies on poll that shows francophones are far more likely to experience an attachment to Fête nationale.

Monday

JUNE 23

“I’ve played my entire career here and that’s something special. It doesn’t happen much. I feel like it’s home here, we have great fans and a great team.”

– Andrei Markov, who was signed by the Canadiens to a three-year contract worth $17.25 million.

Tuesday

JUNE 24

“I come every year to this parade. It’s a parade that brings all Quebecers together. We can celebrate how much we got going for us here in Quebec and our proud history.”

– NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, about the Fête nationale parade in Montreal.

Wednesday

JUNE 25

“There are a number of positive points to this facility, but these decisions were taken by the previous administration. We believe enough in the project to see that it be finished and open to the public.”

– Dimitrios Jim Beis, city executive committee member, about the city’s new indoor soccer centre. He was reacting to criticism in Wednesday’s Gazette that the facility is too expensive.

Thursday

JUNE 26

“It took 20 years to build and about 20 minutes to destroy; our neighbourhood is now mourning.”

– Wayne Wood, a nearby resident of “Parc Oxygène,” a beloved laneway garden in the Milton Park sector of the Plateau Mont-Royal borough that was bulldozed.

Friday

27

JUNE

“The new bridge for the St. Lawrence will reflect the Greater Montreal region’s unique features and will have a positive impact on its landscape for generations to come.”

– Denis Lebel, federal infrastructure minister, in a statement after Ottawa unveiled its plans for the new Champlain Bridge.