CDN-NDG Mayor Russell Copeman joins Denis Coderre's team

Russell Copeman, borough mayor of Cte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grce, has joined Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre's party ahead of the next municipal election.

Copemanhas been a member of Coalition Montral, although he's been a member of Coderre's executive committee since his election in 2013.

"We've been in discussions for some time," Copeman said.

"I'm in sync with the mayor and my colleagues on the executive committee. But we thought it was important with an election coming up to announce my colours."

He also cited three examples of Coderre's leadership which made him confident in the switch: the creation of Montreal's inspector general, his controlling the city's expenses and his investment in infrastructure.

His official departure fromCoalitionMontralleaves that party with just four citycouncillorsand bumpsTeamCoderre'snumbers up to 31 at city hall.

ProjetMontral downplays switch

OppositionProjet Montraldoesn't think the move is important news.

NDG district councillor Peter McQueen says Copeman hasn't done much as mayor of the Cte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grce borough.

"In terms of opposition, he's done nothing," McQueen said.

"He never stood up to Mayor Coderre once. He never once voted against Mayor Coderre."

• Russell Copeman projected winner of NDG mayoral race
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