Final mayoral debate is aggressive but respectful
The main contenders in Montreal’s mayoral race tangled in their second language Monday night, taking starkly different approaches to public transit, pit bulls and the return of professional baseball.
Denis Coderre, seeking re-election, and Valérie Plante, Projet Montréal’s mayoral candidate, took part in an intense but respectful debate organized by the Montreal Gazette, CJAD and CTV.
Coderre tends to ramble in English and Plante sometimes stumbles in the language when she goes off-script, but both seemed at ease Monday. They were more animated and aggressive than in last week’s French-language debate.
Public transit has been a key issue for Plante, who has promised a new métro line linking Montreal North and Lachine.
On Monday, she pitched the line as a way to help all road users by reducing car and bus traffic on roads.
“It would be a great way to open up neighbourhoods that need some oxygen,” she said.
Coderre dismissed the idea, saying Plante needs a “reality check,” arguing funding for such a line is not available. He said transit will improve because he has scored funding for a long-promised extension of the métro Blue Line and a new 67-kilometre electric train network.
On pit bulls, Coderre was on the defensive, his administration having introduced a controversial bylaw that restricts pit bull-type dogs.
“We don’t hate dogs,” he said. “What we’re saying is it’s public safety first.”
He said the “vast majority” of Montrealers back his ban.
But Plante said Coderre dropped the ball on the animal-control issue by targeting a particular breed and ignoring the experts.
“My administration will focus on listening to studies and will be based on science,” she said, promising to change the bylaw to put the onus on dog owners.
A baseball lover, Coderre is eager for the Expos to be revived.
But Plante said though having a baseball team would be great, taxpayers should be consulted.
“I will not spend Montrealers’ money without asking them first,” she said, vowing to hold a referendum on the issue.
She accused Coderre of being “at the mercy of millionaire baseball owners.”
Asked how much he is willing to spend on the Expos, Coderre did not answer directly. “There won’t be any blank cheque,” he said, rejecting the idea of a referendum.
A veteran politician with 20 years under his belt, Coderre repeatedly focused on his record as mayor since 2013.
“Montreal is back,” he said, suggesting he brought to an end a dark period in Montreal, when corruption was constantly in the headlines.
Coderre took credit for Montreal’s strong economy, growing tourism, improved infrastructure and an increase in international flights.
Plante, who entered politics four years ago after working in community organizations, vowed to bring a more collaborative, transparent approach to city hall.
“I got involved because I care about Montrealers and making streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, seniors,” she said.
She accused Coderre of overspending on Montreal’s 375th anniversary, and of failing to disclose key information about the publicly funded Formula E, including how many people bought tickets to the electric car race.
The most lively exchange occurred after Coderre accused Plante of waffling on Bill 62, a new provincial law that bans people from giving or receiving public services with covered faces.
Asked about the bill last week, Coderre immediately said a woman wearing a niqab should be allowed to take a city bus, whereas Plante did not answer directly and had to clarify her remarks later, Coderre noted. Plante shot back that Coderre was trying to score points on the issue; she noted they both have the same position on Bill 62.
In a twist, each candidate was allowed to ask the other a question at the end of the debate.
Coderre asked Plante if she supported those pushing for a boycott of Israel. Plante did not answer directly. Speaking to reporters later, Coderre said he is against such boycotts and he wanted to know his opponent’s position. But Plante accused him of trying to distract voters from a controversy around one of his Outremont candidates, accused of being anti-Hasidic.
When it was her turn, Plante asked Coderre if he would stay on at city hall if he loses the Nov. 5 election. Coderre did not answer directly. He told reporters later the question wasn’t pertinent. Plante said she would stay on as opposition leader if she loses, saying Coderre’s non-answer shows his disdain for democracy.