Denis Coderre called pot stores a publicity stunt. Here are a few of his own

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderrehad harsh words for the owners of the Cannabis Culture stores that popped up in the city last week, selling marijuana to the public.

• Police raid Cannabis Culture shops in Montreal a day after they open

"It's better to put your energies towards legislative processes to insure the legalization than useless stunts," he tweeted on Friday. "Respect the law."

But does Coderre follow his own advice?

We look back on some of the mayor's own attempts at capturing the media's attention.

1. That time he took a jackhammer to a community mailbox

Pot activists Marc andJodieEmery justified their decision to open stores selling the contraband as an act of "civil disobedience."

Coderrerelied on a similar justification when he decided to drill theconcrete slab of a Canada Post community mailbox.

• Canada Post mailbox slab destroyed by Montreal mayor

In August 2015, Coderre escorted by a horde of cameras donned a hard hat and destroyed what was supposed to be a community mailboxin l'Anse--l'Orme nature park.

At the time, he said Canada Post installed the slab without the municipality's authorization, and he would be sending the cost of the damage to Canada Post.

Like the Emerys, Coderre said he was willing to do something illegal to make a point.

"Some people ask me, 'Are you afraid to be sued?' Sue me. I don't care. But at the end of the day, I have to take a stand," said Coderre.

RAW: Mayor destroys Canada Post mailbox slab

9 years ago

Duration 1:29

WARNING GRAPHIC LANGUAGE: Denis Coderre takes jackhammer to base of community mailbox

After reviewing the file, Crown prosecutors decided not to charge Coderre with criminal mischief.

2. That time he dressedlike a firefighter and showed up at fires

In June 2014, the city's fire department asked Coderre to stop showing up at fires wearing a firefighter's outfit.

The firefighters' union was angry that Coderre supported a controversial bill that affected public-sector pensions,saying they felt "betrayed" by the mayor.

They even asked him to give back the fire uniform that was loaned to him.

Before that incident, Coderre often showed up at fires and frequently shared updates via Twitter. His fire helmetwas labeled "mayor."

3. That time he went down a sewer

Coderre descended into Montreal's sewers in November 2015afterthe city dumped eight billion litres of sewage into the St. Lawrence River.

Scientists and city officials tried to reassure residents that tap-water quality wouldn't be affected, but the federal government raised safety questions.

A month after the dump, Coderre went underground himself, wearing a garb that reminded a La Presse cartoonist of a minion the luckless, yellow, capsule-shaped servants of Despicable Me fame.

Coderrewelcomedthe comparison.

4. That time he rode a Bixi wearing a Habsjersey

In April 2015, Coderre wore his Montreal Canadiens jersey to kick off the new Bixi season. He was seen leading a pack of Bixis down the street.

He probably wore the jersey because the Habs were still in the playoffs at that point in the season but the image of Coderre biking down the street in the jersey circulated long after the home team lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning.