NDG voters size up Montreal's mayoral candidates as campaign gets into full swing

Throughout the municipal election campaign, Daybreak's Mike Finnerty and Shari Okeke are hitting the road to hear directly from voters as they decide who they want to elect as their municipal politicians.

This week, they headed to NDG to check in with votersstrolling along Monkland Avenue.

It's part of the Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce borough, where voters will elect the Montreal mayor, the borough mayor and five city councillors.

Mike and Shari asked thesevoters (and one person who can't vote yet, but is watching the campaign with interest)who they have in mind for the next mayor of Montreal.

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Kenny Pierre

Kenny Pierre is a hip hop musician who says he's "not really into voting" but if he does vote, he'll definitely choose Denis Coderre.

"I really like his vibe, you know, I really like too what he's doing for Montreal," he said.

"I'm a Haitian person and for a Haitian person, Coderre really did a lot for the Haitian community we cannot deny it."

Uzi Witkowski

Uzi Witkowski was talking to a friend on Monkland, just around the corner from his home. He says he's hearing all the criticism of Denis Coderre but feels Coderre has done a good job.

"I think the roadwork was necessary. I think celebrations were a nice feature for the city, probably more expensive than they expected but I don't think he's spending more on himself or the party," he said.

"I think he's doing it for the citizens. I would vote for him again."

But he has a complaint that could be a game-changer for him.

"The city has neglected the privacy and the noise level of people living around Monkland and the parking issueas well, and it seems to me they're only really concerned about issuing licences to restaurants and bars that can stay open until 2 a.m."

He says Projet Montral's Peter McQueen has been helpful in addressing his concerns and although Valrie Plante has not impressed him yet, shecould still persuade him to change his vote.

"If she told me she's going to take care of the noise level on Monkland and the parking issues, then yes."

Andre Souaid

Daybreak listener Andre Souaid lives in Saint-Laurent but was on Monkland Avenue to buybagels when Mike and Shari came along.

She says she likes Coderre but isn't sure she wants to vote for him.

"I wish he'd think before he leaps," she said.

"TheE racing he doesn't want to state what the costs were. What's the difference? Say it," she says.

Souaid says Plante"has no experience" and she's not convinced by her messages.

"I just find that she's maybe just platitudes...you know, just to get there," she said.

So she has no idea how she'll vote on Nov.5.

Nikolaj Van Omme and Dania El-Khechen

Nikolaj Van Omme and Dania El-Khechen were strolling with daughter Leylaon their way back from a dancing class.

They don't know who they'll vote for but they're not keen on Denis Coderre.

"I don't like his image and the way he's talking and moving but this doesn't matter much," Van Omme said.

The main issues on their minds: corruption, the environment, and spending on Montreal's 375th anniversary.

They plan to research all the candidates before casting their ballots.

"We will do this seriously, we are citizens and we are concerned so, yes, we will do our homework for sure."

Katell Le Guern

Katell Le Guern cannot vote because she'll still in the process of becoming a Canadian citizen but she's listening to the candidates' messages.

"I feel like the city has developed quite a reputation under Coderre but I also think there's a lot that Valerie [Plante]has to offer in terms of environment changes and I'm a big walker so I definitely like everything she has to say about people walking."

Katell says her friends and neighbours are not talking about the election campaign much but she already finds they have different ideas about who should be Montreal's next mayor.

"I would say the Europeans because I'm originally from France the Europeans would actually probably vote more [Plante] than the Quebecers I know.I would say the anglophone Quebecers are not very Projet Montral, they find her too left wing."

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