Projet Montral blasts Mayor Denis Coderre for hiring friend

The opposition at Montreal City Hall is accusing Mayor Denis Coderre of repeatedly using public funds to hire close friends.

RobertBouvier, a former president of the Teamsters Union and a longtime friend of Coderre,washiredto negotiate with theMontreal Police Brotherhood.

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The city says that Bouvier'scontract ended in December 2015. However, Bouvier could be called backas negotiations continue with the Brotherhood.

GuillaumeLavoie, acouncillorfor the opposition,ProjetMontral, saidthe contract awarded toBouvierwas buried in 200-page document with little explanation.

"He did it without a call for tenders, in the least transparent fashion possible," saidLavoie.

Lavoiesaidthe salary for the contract amounts to $24,999just one dollarshy of the amount atwhichCoderrewould have been required by law to launch a call for tenders.

A spokesperson for the city told Radio-Canada that Bouvier worked 10 half-days and a full day, amounting to a total salary of $4,020, by Dec.31, 2015.

'So what's the problem?'

Coderresayshe has nothing to apologize for.

The mayortold Radio-Canada that he has met many qualified people during his30 years of public service . He said if he thinks a particular person meetsthe requirementsfor the job, he willhire them.

"To have someone with his knowledge, his credibility and to be to reach the union sector I think that it is worth havinghim work with us," saidCoderre.

"So what's the problem? Is it because I know him?" asked Coderre."Yes. I look for people I know."

Emerging pattern

Lavoiesaidthis latest exampleis partof a pattern, claiming thatCoderrehas awarded other contracts to people who worked on or donated to his municipal and federal campaigns in the past.

In November 2014,Project Montral councillor Alex Norris called on Montreal'sinspector-general to look intoa city contract awarded to a law firm that hesays has ties to Coderre.