Election night in Montreal
Article mis en ligne le jeudi 5 novembre 2009
Photo Émilie Russo
November 1 was election day in Montreal and as people made their way to the polling stations, the candidates of CDN-NDG did some last minute campaigning. While some stations in Montreal came across technological difficulties, things in this borough ran smoothly. With the stations closed at 8 o’clock, the countdown to know the winners begun. Les Actualités CDN-NDG went first to Union Montréal’s election gathering before making a stop at Projet Montréal’s party. Here’s what happened on election night:
9:30 p.m. We arrive at the Centre Loisirs Sportifs Côte-des-Neiges where Union Montréal is holding their election party. Only a quarter of the room is full, half are supporters while half are media. People have their eyes glued to the large screen in the front of the hall which switches between coverage of the election on LCN, RDI, and CTV. When a reporter who is in the room goes live on-air, the supporters begin to cheer.
9:50 p.m. The latest in the mayoral race for CDN-NDG shows Union Montréal’s Michael Applebaum in the lead with 1,237 votes and a surprising second place for Projet Montréal’s Carole Dupuis with 534 votes. The hall is now teeming with supporters.
10:12 p.m. I speak to Timothy Chiu Man Chan, the director of the National Congress of Chinese Canadians and a supporter of Union Montreal. He has lived in the Snowdon district for 35 years and applauded the incumbent mayor Applebaum for his work with parks and the environment. Chan also said he volunteered for Applebaum by knocking on doors and making phone calls to the Chinese community members in the borough. He is here tonight to celebrate because he says he knows Applebaum will win again.
10:30 p.m. The room erupts with noise as LCN announces that Tremblay has been re-elected for a third term as mayor of Montreal. One woman jumps on a table and begins to dance as those who surround her high five each other and hug. The plastic wrap is taken off the platters of food and people really begin to celebrate.
11 p.m. The fight for councillor of CDN is on as Projet Montréal’s Magda Popeanu is seen on the screen. She is currently a close second to Union Montréal’s Helen Fotopulos.
11:15 p.m. Marvin Rotrand, elected councillor for the district of Snowdon, enters the hall to much celebration. He is all smiles and handshakes for his numerous supporters. I catch him for a moment in the throng of people.
“To be elected for an eighth mandate is humbling,” he said. “I hope to do my best.”
11:25 p.m. Louise Harel, defeated mayoral candidate of Vision Montréal, appears on television to make her concession speech.
“I would have liked Montrealers to choose change, but let's understand that they didn't vote for the status quo, because two-thirds of voters didn't choose the status quo,” she said.
11:45 p.m. Michael Applebaum arrives to loud applause. Despite the fact that he has not officially won the race, he has quite the lead over Dupuis. After doing the tour of the room, shaking hands and taking photos with his supporters, I sit down with him.
“It was a very hard campaign,” he said. “We had to work very hard. We had a great team of volunteers. We have a lot of work ahead of us too. My role is to represent not only those who voted for me but also those who didn’t vote for me.”
11:50 p.m. The rest of the CDN-NDG Union Montreal crew make their way into the hall. Lionel Perez has a solid lead in the Darlington district and Helen Fotopulos for CDN is widening the gap between her and Popeanu. Susan Clarke is also in the group, a favourite for the Loyola district. They do the rounds of the hall.
12 a.m. Mayor Tremblay arrives to a boisterous room of volunteers with techno music blaring over the speakers. He weaves his way through the crowd and begins his victory speech.
“Citizens want change and we embody this change,” he told his supporters and the row of television cameras. “I want Montrealers to know that I know the mandate they've given me comes with great responsibility.”
12:30 a.m. I’ve made my way to the Projet Montréal party at Le National and I arrive just as party leader Richard Bergeron is leaving for the night. He has already made his concession speech.
“We were born five years ago, we have obtained 25 per cent of the vote and many of our candidates are going to be elected to city hall,” he said in his speech.
One candidate, Peter McQueen did get elected in the NDG district, although at this time his win was not official.
“I am not an expert politician, I have a lot to learn but I have my eyes and ears open to what goes on in the district,” he said. “I will push for more transparency…I hope to bring a green neighbourhood to NDG…and to deal with the problem of snow removal.”
[ Sarah Leavitt ]
Borough Mayor - Côte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grâce