Trois-Rivires mayor, who was on sick leave, resigns after 17 years

Trois-RiviresMayorYves Lvesqueresigned Thursday morning, after being on sick leave for three months.

City spokesperson YvanToutant, a close associate ofLvesque's, delivered the news in an emotional appearance at city hall after council had gathered in a special meeting.

"It's for health reasons, so it makes the situation even more difficult," Toutant said, speaking to reporters through tears.

Toutantsaid he had worked withLvesqueduring his entire career in politics.Lvesqueserved as mayor for17 years and served as city councillor for seven years prior to that.

"Everyone recognizes the immense work he's done," Toutant said.

In October,Lvesqueannounced his leave, saying it had been a difficult decision but that doctors had urged him to take the time off.

He was supposed to return to work early in the New Year.

ToutantsaidLvesque'sdoctor advised him that he would need more time off to recover, and that the mayor decided to resign instead of remain on sick leave with three years left on his mandate.

"It's not him to profit from the system. It was never a question [to remain on sick leave]," Toutantsaid, adding he would leave it up to the mayor to reveal he nature of his health problems.

"What I can say is that as soon as we started to talk about work, he started trembling, so he really is sick."

'Difficult and wrenching decision'

Lvesque was not at the meeting Thursday morning as he was heading to his son's home in the United States to rest, Toutant explained.

"It's with a soul filled with sadness that I inform you of the difficult and wrenching decision of leaving my post as [mayor] ofTrois-Rivires,"Lvesquewrote in a statement.

Deputy Mayor GinetteBellemare, who has been filling in inLvesque's place, is expected to continuetaking over his duties until a byelection is held in the spring.

City council will designate her interim mayor at its next meeting Jan. 15, Toutant said.