It is not surprising that a hockey fan like Denis Coderre is a supporter of the “chair theory” of Martin St-Louis, the coach and philosopher in residence of the Montreal Canadiens. It could be summed up like this: in life, you have to know what your chair is, but also be able to steal a chair to move forward.
Denis Coderre, for his part, has never seen an empty chef’s chair without wanting to occupy it. After the defeat of the Liberal Party of Canada in the 2011 elections and the resignation of Michael Ignatieff, he had already announced that his future was “in the leadership [du PLC] or at the town hall” of Montreal.
When it became clear that Justin Trudeau was going to be the next leader of the Liberal Party, Denis Coderre naturally turned to Montreal City Hall, where, after the discredited administration of Gérald Tremblay, a makeshift executive committee managed the Current affairs.
He was elected mayor on November 3, 2013, but with barely 32% of the vote – much less than polls predicted – and without a majority in the municipal council. Not exactly a strong mandate.
This did not prevent Denis Coderre, finally the boss of something, from decreeing that there was now “a new sheriff in town”. And to behave like one.
Four years later, the punishment was severe. With 45% of the votes – compared to 51% for Valérie Plante, then practically unknown to the public – Denis Coderre was disowned by his fellow citizens.
PHOTO SIMON GIROUX, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Exasperated by the “wild” behavior of Canada Post in setting up its community mailboxes, the mayor of Montreal himself destroyed an installation of the state company in a park in Pierrefonds in August 2015.
The sheriff had a very thin record. He had left the daily administration to his president of the executive committee to concentrate on the issues that interested him: a disappointing metropolis status granted by Quebec, a lot of travel to practice what he called “municipal diplomacy” and a constant support for the return of the Expos and the construction of a stadium downtown.
His defeat did not prevent him from preparing his big return to town hall. But in the November 2021 elections, he was defeated once again by Valérie Plante, the former mayor this time obtaining just under 38% of the vote.
What happened after all these years of political life for Denis Coderre to be rejected twice by his fellow citizens? Simply put, what were seen as qualities at a certain time had become flaws for a politician.
No one ever doubted that he worked hard. This workaholic did not count his hours. He was everywhere in town, earning him the nickname Omnimaire. But at city hall, we called it “the Coderre one-man show”, teamwork having never been his strong point.
The voters wanted another approach, that we take care of a little more urban planning and less development. He was also criticized for his lack of interest in public transport.
There was also a question of style. There was a time when strong men, who charged forward without listening too much to criticism, were popular. Jean Drapeau was the best example. But after the Olympic construction fiasco, “major projects” began to be viewed with great suspicion.
Likewise, voters no longer wanted politicians who cultivate secrecy – the very essence of the Drapeau style – and instead demanded transparency and accountability. Not really one of Mayor Coderre’s priorities.
Several analysts have argued that he lost his re-election in 2017 mainly because he refused to reveal the disastrous financial results of the Formula E race, which was organized by the City.
And, it must be said, Denis Coderre did not hate using intimidation to achieve his ends.
A question asked by a journalist or an opponent, considered inappropriate, could provoke threats and a place on his personal blacklist. In all honesty, it must also be said that Denis Coderre’s grudge never lasted very long.
But he always had trouble hiding his side bully, as they say in English, and when something didn’t go his way, he raised his voice and could quickly resort to threats.
Upon his return in 2021, a newspaper published a photo showing him with a cell phone while driving. Instead of apologizing and moving on, he denied everything in a confrontational tone with everyone who questioned him on the matter. This type of intimidation was no longer tolerated from a politician.
He now says he is interested in the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party, an option he rejected 14 months ago, saying: “You can’t run at every rack. » Wise advice. Too bad that, seeing once again a chef’s chair that was vacant, he no longer remembered it.