Denis Coderre's choice for Montreal North mayor draws ire

A Montreal North community group is angry that Mayor Denis Coderreselected his party's candidate for an upcoming byelection withoutbothering to consult it.

Coderreannounced on Saturday thatChristine Black will run for the spot ofMontreal North borough mayor under his party'sbanner.

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The position came open whenformer mayor GillesDeGuire stepped down in January after being charged withsexual assault against a minor.

But Coderre's decision, or at least the way he came to it,has already sparked criticism within the community.

Since Deguireresigned, theRegroupement pour le renouveau Montral-Norda community group with around 400 members has been arguingthenext mayor should bemore representative of the borough'sresidents.

Group ignored

The group senta letter to Coderreoffering their input on his choice of candidate. Their offer, however, went unheeded.

"We wanted somebodywho actually cared for Montreal North, somebody who actually knew Montreal North" said the group's spokesperson Don Harley Fils-Aime.

"[We wanted] somebody who actually knew the different problems we're facing in Montreal North. And then, after that,if the person came from the black community or another community it would have been good."

Fils-Aime added that his group was less concerned with Black herself, than with itsexclusion from the process in selecting her.

Black, 34, has worked in Montreal North for 14 years. She is currently the head ofCentre des jeunes l'Escale.

Coderre defended his choice by sayingthat Black represented other under-represented communities, such as youth and women.

"I didn't ask an organization if they're pleased or not with my prerogative," Coderre said. "What I know, though, is that they'll understand and be surprised."

The byelectionto replaceDeguirewill be heldApril 24.