Coderre promises better access to activities for young people in Montreal

Content of the article

Three new sports complexes would be built and recreational facilities in schools would be made available after hours, according to Denis Coderre’s youth policy.

Content of the article

The mayoral candidate unveiled his plan in the backyard of an Ahuntsic family with twins, a girl and a boy, born seven weeks ago.

He undertakes to build sports complexes in Montreal-North, Lachine, Mercier — Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and St-Léonard if he is elected. Under a Coderre administration, the city would also enter into a partnership with school boards so that their facilities can be used evenings and weekends when schools are normally closed.

A new passport for cultural and sports activities, called “Avantage Montréal”, would be created to allow children aged 5 to 16 as well as seniors to have access to one cultural or recreational activity per month. Eligible activities include visits to the Biodôme or the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Content of the article

“There is a need,” Coderre said. “From east to west, we have to make sure that everyone has the same opportunities to develop. “

He said there will also be free shuttles to festivals and cultural hot spots offered in low-income areas to give young people living in those boroughs easier access to cultural activities.

Despite the announcement, reporters seemed more concerned on Friday about Coderre’s performance in Thursday’s televised debate on French-language network TVA, in which he criticized his opponent for laughing.

It happened as Coderre and outgoing mayoral candidate Valérie Plante were debating housing issues.

“When you laugh, you are nervous; stop, ”Coderre said during the debate. When Plante asked him to repeat himself, he said, “I said, stop laughing; housing is too important.

Content of the article

Plante then asks her if it’s a problem for him when she laughs.

“No, that’s not a problem; the problem is the administration that is in power, ”he replied.

Coderre said the debate has shown Plante has few answers to the questions that matter to Montrealers.

“People are looking for answers. It was just a pause to say, “By the way, what’s the answer?

“I find the accommodation and security serious, and I would rather have answers than laugh at times,” Coderre added. ” That does not bother me. We laugh too, but sometimes you have to be serious.

Coderre said he was proud of his performance in the debate.

“I stayed calm. It was good. If their strategy is to pump me up and (make me angry) that won’t work, ”he said. “It’s not just a question of what people say. This is the approach.

Content of the article

“What I think people want is hope. Our role is to provide skills, experience and reassurance, but certainly hope. This is what we are doing today.

Coderre has said he enjoys political debates because they allow him to deliver his message to the people.

The next debate in French will be on Radio-Canada on Monday at 6 p.m., while the only debate in English will take place next Thursday.

The election will take place on November 6 and 7.

[email protected]

twitter.com/jasonmagder