Montreal mayoral candidates debate corruption, economy

Montreal's four main mayoral candidatesfaced off in a surprisingly friendly debate on Tuesday evening, jousting over the key issues of corruption, citylife, public transit, economy and the proposed charter of values.

TheTuesday evening English debate was moderated by CBC Montreal co-anchor Andrew Changand hosted by CBC in partnership withMcGillUniversity atMcGillsTannaSchulichHall.

• Watch mayoral candidates debate
• BLOG | A debate worth watching

Throughout the debate, the candidates defined their leadership strengths.Richard Bergeronhighlighted his team as an honest administration that would befull of ideas, while Denis Coderre promoted himself as an experienced leader. Marcel Ctpushed his entrepreneurial background as a skill that would help him clean up the city, whileMlanie Jolyoutlined a teamthat would bringchange and transparency.

The candidates were in a good humour for the hour-long debate,poking fun at one another andpausing several times for laughter.

There are no better watchdogs than you and I.- Mlanie Joly

Candidate Richard Bergerongot a laugh when he criticized Marcel Ct for including members of the former administration in his team.

"How can you change the situation with the same people?" he said toCt, adding, "It's not as bad with you as it is with Mr. Coderre."

Mlanie Jolyspoke over the laughter, thanking Bergeronfor his implied support.

But the amicable atmosphere had its fair share of heated discussion.

At about 10 minutes into debate, Bergeron andCtwere yelling at each other about whoseteam was more involved in the previous embattledcity administration.

Q:What practical plans to you have to counter corruption?

The theme of corruption has been at the forefront of the election campaignand the candidates wasted no time outlininghow they would clean up City Hall.

MlanieJolyhighlighted her digital transparency plan, which takes itsinspiration fromNew York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"There are no better watchdogs than you and I," she said.

If we promise the world, nothing will get done.- Denis Coderre

Joly said her administration would appoint a chief digital officer toensure that all city information would be made public.

Denis Coderreoutlinedhis plan foran independent inspector generalwho would beappointed by City Hall and have the power of inquiry and the power to open contracts and takepeople to court.

"If a house has a leaky roof, you don't throw the house down. The vast majority of employees and politicians are honest," he said.

Richard Bergeron pointed to his party -Projet Montral- as a party with an honest historyincitypolitics.Bergeroncriticized Coderre for running a slate of 25 candidates who were members of former mayor Grald Tremblay's now-defunct Union Montral party.

Marcel Ct said that corruption can only take hold in an organization that is badly managed. Hepointed to the need for checks and balances for the city's executive committeeand for a more efficient bureaucracy.Ct also said his administration would make the position of city ethics commissioner a full-time job.

Q:How would you keep traffic flowing on Montreal's roads and improve public transit systems?

Coderre: "It's a major major problem ... If we promise the world, nothing will get done."

We have to stop the brain drain in Montreal.- Marcel Ct

Bergeron: "We have a real nightmare for the next decade. And during this next decade, 350,000 new cars will be on the roads. We just have to convince 100,000 of these new 350,000 drivers to take public transit."

Ct: "Why do we have all these orange cones all over Montreal and nobody doing any work?"

Q: What's the best way to revitalize the economy to keep and attract the brightest?

Ct: "We have to stop the brain drain in Montreal ...I've invested in quite a few businesses in Montreal. What they want is the mayor to run properly City Hall. They can do the rest. Montrealhas the highest business tax in Canada."

Joly to Ct: "It's great you've made the analysis that taxes are too high but we need solutions, not analysis.

Q: All four of you are against the government's' proposed charter of values.How far will you go in fighting against it?

Ct: "This is a very divisive fight. We have to be careful not to stoke the fire. Montreal is always on the losing side of nationalist politics.Let them play their game."

Don't build a wall betweenMontrealersand the rest of Quebec.- Richard Bergeron

Coderre: "The charter is not a matter of culture. It's a matter of rights. There's no hierarchy of rights ... All that division is bad for Montreal."

Bergeron: "It is building a wall between Montreal and the rest of Quebec. Don't build a wall between Montrealers and the rest of Quebec."

Joly: "The rest of Quebec must understand Montreal is unique in its culture. Let's wait to see what's in the charter, then debate in council."