Richard Bergeron leaves Projet Montral to join Denis Coderre

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre has recruited former rival, Richard Bergeron, to sitalongside him on the executive committee.

The time has come to stand for Montreal, Coderre said at a news conference Tuesday afternoonat Montreal's cityhall.

Bergeron founded Projet Montral, a municipal political party devoted to sustainable development,in November 2004.

My only wish is to help develop Montreal.- Richard Bergeron, ProjetMontralfounder

He led the party for the last 10 years and stepped down two weeks ago, saying it was time to hand the reins over to someone new.

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Today,Bergeron said he is excited to sit on the citys executive committee.

Its a new step in my life. Theres nothing bittersweet anywhere. Im proud to join the administration, and Im proud of everything I did as the leader and as the builder of Projet Montral.

Bergeron saidthe main reason he decided tosit onDenis Coderre'sexecutive committee is because they see eye-to-eye on the idea of tramways being an integral part of a future Montreal.

Bergeron would want to see a tramway downtown a project which Coderre would put him in charge of.

My only wish is to help develop Montreal, Bergeron said.

Projet Montral members not pleased

Members of Bergeron's former party are not happy about the move.

Projet Montrals interim leader Luc Ferrandez said members felt surprised, angry and shocked when they heard the news.

Ferrandez added that Bergeron is so preoccupied with the idea of tramways that "hes let his guard down" on other issues.

Every time Coderre has brought a member of the opposition of another party in his team, he has controlled this person to the very, very details. He demands that all the votes are to be taken in one direction the direction that he chooses. Richard Bergeron will have a challenge there.

Bergeron won't be an official voting member of the executive committee until provincial legislation permitting that is passed.