'I feel proud, I feel humble, I feel privileged': Denis Coderre reflects on his election loss

Outgoing Montreal mayor Denis Coderresays he devoted all his energy, passion and heart to making the city a better place.

In the end, though, voters opted for the upstartValriePlanteon Sunday, in an election-night stunner.

"The people always have the final word, and you have to respect that," an emotional Coderresaid Tuesday, as he reflected on his time as mayor.

"I feel proud, I feel humble, I feel privileged.... It was a great moment for me. To be there as an actor of change, to make a true difference in people's lives."

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Speaking to reporters at city hall, Coderretook pains to retrace what he saw as the highlights of his four years in power: taking oncorruption,improvingrelations with Indigenous people andachievingmetropolis status,a designation that, he said, will allow his successor more control over city policy.

Investments in infrastructure and public transit, including the planned light-rail system, will pay dividends in the years to come, he said.

"We've done in four years whatwould have been done in 15," he said.

What's next? Vacation, for starters

Coderre, who has been involved in politics nearly his entire adult life,said he has no immediate plans, besides taking a break.

"It's the first time, probably, that I will go on vacation without my phone ringing. That's interesting," the former Liberal MP and cabinet minister said.

Denis Coderre's emotional farewell

7 years ago

Duration 0:37

Outgoing Montreal mayor Denis Coderre was overcome by emotion as he reflected on his past four years in office.

Discussions are already underway to determine who will be the interim leader ofquipeDenisCoderre, the party formed for his 2013 run for the mayoralty.

• With DenisCoderreout, what's next for the party named after him?

Lionel Perez, who retained his seat in Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce, is one of the names being put forward, CBC News has learned.

Plante's rise, Coderre'sfall

Coderre, who was elected mayor in 2013, was the heavy favourite heading into the election. But he failed to capture the imagination of voters with a campaign based largely on his record.

He was criticized for spending millions on showy projects to celebrateMontreal's 375th birthday and for his handling of theFormula E race.

He also drew the ire of dog lovers when he introduced legislation last year to ban pit bulls from the city.

• How the Projet Montral 'wave' spread across the city

Plante, 43, is the first woman to be elected mayor ofMontreal.