Charest Promises To Clean Up Municipal Politics

Police are also investigating allegations of bribery related to a
contract to replace the roof at city hall.

From CTV News:

MONTREAL — Premier Jean Charest is promising to clean up the process of awarding municipal contracts across the province.

The comments came one day after Montreal's mayor was re-elected, despite accounts of corruption at city hall that have embarrassed the city.

Montrealers gave Mayor Gerald Tremblay a third term over the weekend -- this after reports that construction companies, in collusion with the Italian Mafia, are funding political parties and boosting the cost of building projects.

Read more ....

Update #1: No trusteeship for Montreal: Charest -- CBC
Update #2: Quebec to remind cities about ethics in awarding contracts -- Montreal Gazette

My Comment: I think the Premier is making a mistake in this case. No one knows the extent that corruption has reached the Halls of City Hall. All that we do know is that aside from a few examples, the taint of corrupt influences appear to reach a number of offices and persons in the Government.

Enormous amounts of Montreal tax monies are involved .... and if anything .... the province should position itself to at least supervise how this money is spent until a full inquiry on City Hall corruption has been completed.

Montreal Alouettes 48 Winnipeg Bombers 13

Alouettes Rediscover Dominant Ways Against Bombers -- Montreal Gazette

Als 48, Blue Bombers 13; Montreal ties franchise record with 14th win.

MONTREAL – That was more like it. And now, everybody can relax again. Clearly, reports of the Alouettes’ demise were greatly exaggerated.

The Als returned to their winning ways Sunday afternoon at Molson Stadium, easily defeating the gosh-awful Winnipeg Blue Bombers 48-13 before the customary 20,202 spectators at Molson Stadium.

There were some concerns around these parts last weekend, after the Bombers manhandled the Als 41-24 at Winnipeg. But history wasn’t repeated on this day. Indeed, in some respects, this result was almost inevitable, the Als’ pride wounded.

Read more ....

More On Yesterday's Football Game

Alouettes end perfect season at home with a pounding -- Toronto Star
Alouettes return with vengeance -- Montreal Gazette
Alouettes tie team record with 14th win in 48-13 win over Blue Bombers -- Canadian Press
Als use defence and Calvillo to hammer Bombers -- CBC
Returner Taylor sets tone for Als -- Montreal Gazette
Old Kelly returns, doesn't give a $@#* -- Winnipeg Sun
Kelly comes unglued -- Montreal Gazette

Montreal Municipal Elections -- Complete News Roundup

Gérald Tremblay (left), Louise Harel (centre) and Richard Bergeron
fought a tight race for mayor in Montreal. (CBC)

Tremblay Wins Montreal Mayor Race -- CBC

Gérald Tremblay won a third straight term as mayor of Montreal despite a campaign dominated by allegations of corruption involving the Mob and construction companies.

Tremblay, who leads the Union Montréal municipal party, beat rivals Louise Harel and Richard Bergeron in a tight race Sunday.

The mayor said he is "conscious that the confidence of Montrealers has been put to the test."

"The citizens want change and we will incarnate that change," Tremblay said.

Read more ....

More News On Yesterday's Elections

Complete Election Coverage From The Montreal Gazette -- Montreal Gazette

Montreal Mayor Tremblay wins third term -- Montreal Gazette
Montreal mayor keeps his job -- Toronto Star
Tremblay re-elected mayor -- CTV
Voters' message is clear as mud -- Montreal Gazette
Projet Montréal shines in Plateau -- CBC
Harel: I'll continue to fight corruption -- Montreal Gazette
Tearful Forcillo thanks army of volunteers -- Montreal Gazette
Ex-cop poised to take over troubled part of city -- Montreal Gazette
For the most part, no serious delays in casting ballots -- Montreal Gazette
Harel after-vote party fizzles -- Montreal Gazette
Gerald Tremblay vows to rebuild public trust after narrow election victory -- Canadian Press

Round-up of suburban races -- CTV
Three mayors ousted -- Montreal Gazette

Beaconsfield voters boot Benedetti from office -- Montreal Gazette
Benedetti falls in West Island election -- CBC

LaSalle's Barbe rides apparent landslide -- Montreal Gazette

Steinberg clear winner in bitter race -- Montreal Gazette

Former Bloc MP elected as Longueuil mayor -- CBC
St-hilaire upsets in Longueuil -- Montreal Gazette

Vaillancourt wins 6th term as Laval mayor -- CBC
Vaillancourt sweeps council in repeat landslide -- Montreal Gazette

Labeaume cruises to mayoral victory in Quebec City -- CBC
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume re-elected -- CTV

Sherbrooke has first new mayor in 15 years -- CBC

Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau wins 2nd term -- CBC

Blame low turnout on cynicism - or disconnection -- Montreal Gazette
Get out your broom Mr. Mayor -- Montreal Gazette opinion
Rebalancing of power -- Montreal Gazette
Let's hope Tremblay is committed to reform -- Montreal Gazette

Montreal News And Weather -- November 1, 2009

MONTREAL NEWS AND WEATHER

Stronger early turnout for Montreal vote -- Montreal Gazette
Quebec votes for new civic governments -- CBC
O'Sullivan won't go down quietly -- Montreal Gazette
Quebec voters head to the polls -- CTV

Respect vaccine priority list: minister -- CBC
Bolduc appeals for calm, urges people to respect priority list -- CTV
Quebec urges patience in flu shot campaign -- CBC

Als use defence and Calvillo to hammer Bombers -- CBC

Search for missing miners continues amid fading hopes -- CTV
Hopes dim for trapped miners -- Montreal Gazette

Officer involved in Villanueva shooting testifies -- CBC
Officer involved in Villanueva shooting testifies -- CTV
Cop's account of fatal night ends in cliffhanger -- Montreal Gazette

Montreal police investigate suspicious death -- CTV
Woman found dead in the Plateau -- Montreal Gazette

The Official Website For Election Montreal

MONTREAL, QUE.: NOVEMBER 1, 2009--Mayoralty candidate Louise Harel votes Sunday November 1, 2009 under the watchful eye of a scrutineer in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal. Photograph by: Marcos Townsend, The Gazette

The official website for Electin Montreal is here.

The twitter address is here.

The official website that covers all Quebec municipal elections is here. (French only)

Montreal's Civic Election Leaves Mess For Next Mayor

Mayoral candidate Louise Harel mockingly applauds incumbent Gérald Tremblay, right, during a recent debate as the third candidate, Richard Bergeron, looks on. Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press

From The CBC:

A most memorable slogan for Montreal's mayoral race was splashed across the cover of this week's Maclean's magazine: "Montreal is a corrupt, crumbling, Mob-ridden disgrace."

That headline brutally summed up one of the most bizarre municipal elections in memory, which featured a disheartening drip of tales about Mafia influence in politics, inflated construction contracts and widespread corruption.

Read more ....

My Comment: Maclean's sums it up perfectly ..... "Montreal is a corrupt, crumbling, Mob-ridden disgrace." Throw in high taxes, former convicted FLQ members holding key positions inside Tremblay's administration, lousy municipal services, a transit system that fails to serve the West End .... you will have a very disgruntled electorate.

If Hamel was not a separatist, she would be walking away with a win in this election, but everyone's perception that she will be more of the same is unfortunately (and probably) true. This is a dead heat ..... and from where I stand anyone can win this election.

Quebec's Public Sector Workers Want More Money

Help Us Stay In Public Sector, Workers Urge Province -- Montreal Gazette

Common-front negotiations. Employees want 11.25% pay hike over 3 years.

The common front, representing 475,000 public-sector workers in Quebec, is arguing in its new contract talks for a pay increase so its members stay in their jobs rather than take more lucrative posts in the private sector.

Gilles Dussault, representing 265,000 teachers, civil servants and other public-sector employees in the Secrétariat intersyndical des services publics, said the workers are asking for "the means to do their jobs."

Read more ....

My Comment: 425,000 public-sector workers in Quebec ?!?!!? No wonder our taxes are so high. Let them go to the private sector since they believe that the private sector pays more.

Health Minister Asks For 'Patience And Discipline' For H1N1 Vaccine

Nurse Nathalie Cousineau vaccinates Michel Lemay against the H1N1 virus at the CLSC Dorval-Lachine in Lachine. Photograph by: John Mahoney, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

There will be enough H1Ni vaccine for every Quebecer who wants it, but those most at risk are first in line, says Quebec Health Minister Yves Bolduc.

Those with chronic diseases, pregnant women and young children will be vaccinated first, followed on Dec. 7 by adults and children over 5.

Read more ....

More News On The H1N1 Crisis

Bolduc appeals for calm, urges people to respect priority list -- CTV
Quebec urges patience in flu shot campaign -- CBC
'Is there a reason for panic?' -- Montreal Gazette
More lineups for limited H1N1 vaccine -- CTV

Montreal 5 Toronto 4

Habs Beat Leafs In Shootout -- Montreal Gazette

Canadiens 5, Maple Leafs 4 (SO)

Mike Cammalleri and Scott Gomez beat Vesa Toskala in the shootout, while Jaroslav Halak shut the door on Lee Stempniak and Tomas Kaberle to give the Canadiens a 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs last night at the Bell Centre.

The win extended the Canadiens’ unbeaten record in extra-time games this season to 6-0 with four overtime wins and two shootout victories. And the Canadiens have won five in a row at home.

Read more ....

More News On Last Night's Hockey Game

Canadiens bury Leafs in shootout -- CBC
Canadiens shake off blown lead, beat Leafs in SO -- AP
Canadiens down Maple Leafs in shootout -- National Post
Leafs succumb in shootout -- Toronto Star
Canadiens blow lead but down Leafs in shootout -- Chronicle Herald
'The important thing is that we won' -- Montreal Gazette
Canadiens shake off blown lead, beat Leafs in SO -- Yahoo Sports
Leafs' Mike Komisarek big winner on boo-meter -- Toronto Star
Bell Centre fans give Komisarek an unnecessarily rude welcome -- MOntreal Gazette
They may be awful, but Leafs don't quit -- Montreal Gazette

Montrealers Go To The Polls Today

From left: Montreal mayoral candidates Richard Bergeron (Projet Montréal), Louise Harel (Vision Montreal) and incumbent Gérald Tremblay (Union Montreal). Photograph by: John Mahoney, The Gazette

Poll Clerks Prime For Record Turnout -- Montreal Gazette

If the tendency from last week’s advance polls holds, election officials across the province face a busy day at the ballot box on Sunday.

Elections are being held in each of the province’s municipalities. In Montreal, Sunny weather, and temperatures expected to reach a seasonal 9C will encourage people to get out to vote.

Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pierre G. Laporte, a spokesperson for Montreal’s election office said last week 5.25 per cent of voters came out to advance polls, nearly double the number in the 2005 election. But Laporte said it’s too soon to tell if that means this election will exceed the dismal 35 per cent rate recorded in 2005.

Read more ....

More News On Today's Montreal Municipal Election

Montrealers vote Sunday after bizarre, scandal-plagued municipal campaign -- Canadian Press
Three main rivals for Montreal mayoralty wrap up campaigns -- Montreal Gazette
Mayoral hopefuls make final pleas for votes -- Montreal Gazette
Last day before voters head to the polls -- CTV
Montreal campaign hits final stretch -- CBC
Why Montrealers shy away from voting -- Montreal Gazette