Denis Coderre officially launches his re-election campaign

Denis Coderreis officially in the running to be the mayor of Montreal. Again.

The incumbent mayor handed in his nomination papers at City Hall Friday morning, and told reporters that after four years of getting things done, he and his team plan to do more of the same if they win a second mandate.

"I want to thank the population for allowing me, during these last four years, to do things that brought back pride and integrity to Montreal," he said.

"We're asking the people now to let us continue this work together."

• Quebec'smunicipal election campaigns officiallystart today. Here's a primer

Coderre was flanked by the members of his team, which he boasted features a number of people under 35 and 47 female candidates out of 103.

Speech highlights civic pride, decisiveness, but omits Formula E

Coderre officially launchedhis campaign Friday nightat an event at the Centre Pierre-Charbonneau, near the Olympic Stadium.

Around 800people showed up for the launch, including a number who were bused in for the event.

Withhis team of candidates behind him on stage, Coderrespoke to his accomplishments as mayor and emphasized his focus on building civic pride.

He mentioned the creation ofan inspector general to help weed out corruptionand the city's efforts to make Bixi, the city's bike share system,more successful.

He alsoalludedto at least one priorityif he wins.

"The Blue Line, it's going to happen," Coderrerepeated several times, referring to a promised extension of the Metro line to the east.

Coderrealso spoke proudly ofMontreal's new metropolisstatus within Quebec, which the provincial government made official Thursday, as well as the adoption of a new city flag that pays tribute to Montreal's First Nations roots.

• Montreal adds Iroquois symbol to flag, strips British general of street name

The incumbentbranded himself as a decisive leader who isn'tafraid to make unpopular decisions.

"To govern is to choose," Coderresaid. "We bring back integrity. We bring back transparency."

There werea few notable omissionsfrom Coderre's speech, including no mentionthe controversial Formula E electric car race.

• Formula E organizers say data on ticket sales, costs won't be known before municipal election

On the topic of criticism, however, Coderre said he welcomes it.

"It means that Montreal is better. If we are criticized, it is because Montreal has become relevant again," he said.

Coderrealso announced thatJean David Prophte will stand as his team's candidatein the city's Mile-End district.

Prophte was originally going to represent Projet Montral in the district of Pointe-aux-Prairies, in the borough of Rivire-des-PrairiesPointe-aux-Trembles.

It's all about tangible results, both candidates say

Earlier Friday, Coderre said he isn't interestedin mudslinging and negative campaigningbecause he feels like voters "deserve better."

"Our role isn't to give [sound bites] and win the verbal battle, our role is to ensure that at the end of the line, there are tangible results and there are things that let people say things are better in Montreal."

Valrie Plante,who heads opposition party ProjetMontral,was also at city hall Friday morning,holding a media availability of her own.

She said the party has been working for weeks to make sure voters know what they're about.

"What we want is mobility, housing for all Montrealers, especially families, and concrete actions to make sure our main arteries and intersections are safe," she said.

Plante held an event to launch her campaign Monday night.

• Valrie Plante, vying to be Montreal's 1st female mayor, talks transport, families, city spending