Help Generations help kids generationsfoundation.com 514-933-8585 April 2014 www.theseniortimes.com Vol. XXViii N o 6 mayor Coderre: “montreal is my flag” Moving satisfied customers for over 15 years 10105, boul. Henri-Bourassa Ouest, Ville St-Laurent QC H4S 1A1 Fax: (514) 331-0303 A fresh start Westmount The trees are still bare, but not for long, Place my friends. Can you see the hints of buds? Can you smell the sunshine? 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Contents copyright ©2014. All rights reserved. Legal Deposit: National Library of Canada No. D368087 Dépot légal Bibliothèque Nationale du Québec, 1993. Although every caution is taken by Publications Newborn Inc. to moni tor advertising in the THE SENIOR TIMES, claims made by advertisers are not necessarily endorsed by Publications Newborn Inc. 2 THE SENIOR TIMES April 2014 www.theseniortimes.com Smiles are back on the faces of city employees, mayor says Irwin Block No elected chief magistrate will toy with a system that puts him in power. Only one politician showed up CAQ leader François Legault has pro- when the family and friends of fig- posed that the number of boroughs be ure skater Joannie Rochette gath- cut to 12 from 19, and the total number ered in Berthierville in 2010 to of elected officials, including borough watch her skate in the short pro- councilors, be cut to 61 from 103. gram at the Vancouver Olympics . “I’m not going to touch the num- Denis Coderre was there, joining bers or the territories of the bor- in the chants of “Go, Go Joannie,” oughs. We need to learn to live and though Berthierville was far from work together, instead of thinking his federal Bourassa riding, and I that this is a Parliament,” Coderre was the only journalist there. says of the partisan system that is “I am from Joliette, and I felt I now part of city politics. should be here,” he said at the time. “This is an administration, which is More than a year later, federal why I am looking forward to having Liberals seemed to be in trouble as Photo: City of Montreal even people who are not part of my the Orange Wave was sweeping the Mayor Denis Coderre has no regrets leaving federal politics to serve Montreal. banner contribute to the metropolis.” province in the federal election, but He took the unusual step of nam- Coderre was confident. is one thing in life that is most impor- has pledged to limit hikes to infla- ing three political opponents to his “You should know I am a very tant, but you have to figure it out. tion over the next four years, or an executive committee, drafted Coali- good organizer,” Coderre, who listed “I truly believe that this is the place anticipated two per cent or less. tion Montréal leader Marcel Côté to his occupation as parliamentarian, for me. … Clearly Montreal is at a “The money has to be well spent act as a special adviser on finances, said with supreme confidence. He crossroads and maybe—I turned 50 and any additional revenue will be in- and put Projet Montréal leader Rich- won, but decided after 16 years as a in July—I am as well. This is the level vested in infrastructure and services,” ard Bergeron in charge of covering a Liberal MP and cabinet minister, in- of government closest to citizens, he says. To get the most bang from section of the Ville Marie Expressway. cluding a stint as immigration min- and I am truly enjoying it.” city bucks, Coderre says he is push- Liberal leader Philippe Couillard ister, to switch to municipal politics. With Montrealers, especially those ing for the use of benchmarking, or also pledged that a Liberal govern- Attending such local events as the on fixed incomes, being crushed by performance measurement and re- ment would confer new power on gathering in Berthierville, when there high and increasing property taxes, porting that promote transparency, the city to enable it to raise revenues is no political capital to be gained, re- Coderre has launched a campaign accountability and efficiency. other than through property taxes. flects the hands-on touch and people with Quebec City Mayor Régis Leb- “In Toronto they are saving $200 Coderre takes credit for a new, skills that are his trademark. One on aume for special status for the cities, million this year through bench- positive climate at city hall follow- one, he looks you in the eye, remem- including more powers and revenue. marking. Imagine how much you ing testimony at the Charbonneau bers your name, and makes an impact “We are talking about governance, can do with that to enhance quality Commission of widespread corrup- as a guy you can talk to, who listens, a new fiscal pact. We cannot just de- of life in the boroughs? This is the tion, and criminal charges against and is close to the grass roots. pend on 70 per cent of our revenues kind of vision I am developing.” former mayor Michael Applebaum Now that he is settled in the mayor’s coming from property taxes.” It’s 32 One thing not on his agenda is and councilor Saulie Zajdel. Their chair, Coderre has no regrets about per cent in Toronto. downsizing city council. With 64 trials are to be held next year. leaving the federal scene with its much That campaign has only begun, and councillors, it is the biggest in North “In five months, you will notice higher profile and national focus. will depend on the willingness of the America and has been ridiculed by that smiles are back on the faces of “I truly love it. It’s like in the movie next provincial government to share The Gazette’s Henry Aubin, who calls it city employees. Montreal pride is City Slickers—where Bill Crystal be- its tax bases. absurd. Toronto, with almost a million back,” Coderre boasts. came a cowboy to find himself—there As for property owners, Coderre more residents, has 44 councillors. Continued on page 4 ...FURNITURE Pre-1980, Dining room, Bookcases, Desks, WE BUY ANTIQUES... Fixtures, Lamps, Etc. Providing excellent service since 1975 ...JEWELRY Gold, Silver, Diamonds, Sterling Silverware, WE BUY Fountain Pens, Quality Watches, Etc. 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Free in-home consultation JOHN 514-560-7720 by a certified appraiser Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Vacheron, Longines, Breitling etc. www.theseniortimes.com April 2014 THE SENIOR TIMES 3 Ready to fight values charter Continued from page 3 don’t want to hear anything about He is also firm in opposing the PQ’s election/referendums and you know proposed Charter of Quebec Values. my position on the charter.” “It’s not up to the Quebec govern- Though his opposition to major ment to decide how I should act with PQ goals is clear and explicit, he my employees, how to select them,” maintains that officially he is neutral. he says, describing the ban on pub- “My flag is Montreal, and my role is lic employees wearing the Muslim to pass on the message that the fu- headscarf, Sikh turban or Jewish ture of Quebec passes through the kippa as “institutionalized job dis- future of the metropolis.” crimination.” When it comes to big projects, He sees nothing wrong with wear- he says he admires late mayor Jean ing religious symbols at work. Drapeau for his vision and is limiting “If you’re wearing a kippa, it’s part his plans at the moment to celebra- of your identity. You’re not promot- tions in 2017 for the 375th anniver- ing your religion, you’re provid- sary of the city’s founding. ing services and you have the right But he won’t say what he has in to wear it.