Montreal council must pick new mayor after Applebaum resignation

Montreal city council must select a newinterim mayorto replace Michael Applebaum until elections slated for Nov. 3.

On Tuesday,Applebaum resignedin the wake of corruption charges being laid against him, though he maintains he is innocent.

Legally, Montreal's 62 councillors have 30 days to chose an interim mayor, though Quebecs Minister of Municipal Affairs Sylvain Gaudreault said he hopes they make the decision soon.

"We would like the interim mayor to be a candidate that has stayed above the fray," Gaudreault said at a news conference following Applebaums resignation. "We hope this will happen as quickly as possible. This is a very important point in time for the city of Montreal."

Gaudreault did not rule out additional investigations, but deferred questions to UPAC, Quebec's anti-corruption investigation unit.

Gaudreaultsaid that the province has no plans to take control away from council by placing the city under trusteeship,but would provide a "special adviser" if asked.

Applebaum was selected as mayor by council on Nov. 16, 2012, following the resignation of Grald Tremblay amid allegations of corruption.

Deputy Mayor Jane Cowell-Poitras will step in until a new interim mayor is selected, just as she did when Tremblay resigned.

The first candidate tosayhe would be running for the interimposition was Franois Croteau, the councillor representingMontreal'sRosemont PetitePatrie borough.

Croteauannounced heis leaving his political party Projet Montral to become an independent councillor because he said it will allow him to focus onmanaging the city in a non-partisan fashion.

"That individual has to have been someone who is detached from the political party and will not get involved in political action," he said. "Montrealers need stability and they need to be sure citizens receive services."

Members of Projet Montral took Applebaum's resignation as an opportunity to denounce the now-disbanded Union Montral, another municipalparty which both Applebaum and Tremblay were members of.

Union Montralwas dissolvedjust over a month ago in the wake of damning testimony before the province's corruption inquiry, and members like Applebaum became independent councillors.

"What we have to avoid is a return to Union Montral. This Hydra has not been decapitated yet," said Richard Bergeron, leader of Projet Montral.

However, city hall Speaker Harout Chitilian said that councillors must now work "hand in hand" to ensure Montreal functions for its citizens.

"We cant paint everyone with the same brush," said Chitilian. "It doesnt mean the whole team aredishonourable people."

The campaign period for Novembers elections begin Sept. 18.