Claude Trudel Announces His Retirement from Political Life - Stepping down as Montréal City Councillor and Mayor of Verdun

VERDUN, QC, Dec. 3, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Verdun Borough Mayor Claude Trudel announced today that he is retiring from political life. He will be officially stepping down from office on December 4, at the end of the next regular meeting of Verdun Borough Council.

"This decision comes after much reflection, ever since last summer, and a number of recent events have added even more food for thought—in particular, the hurried departure of Gérald Tremblay and the incredible circus that followed. Over the past few weeks, my Union Montréal was spared nothing at all, in the name of Renewal, a Big Clean-up and the need for a Grand Coalition. In the face of such a spectacle, when the personal goals of many politicians are taking precedence over the common good, when loyalties are serving the interests of ambitions and not ideas, and when promises are being transformed into betrayals, it is my moral duty to bow out," declared Claude Trudel today at a press conference.

"Today, I am bringing to a close a public career spanning more than forty years. I am doing it with serenity, while saying to all my colleagues on City Council and on the Agglomeration Council, whose meetings I have chaired since 2006, that beyond our occasional differences, I have always enjoyed working with them. My deep desire is that the context of the coalition that is kindling so many hopes on the Executive Committee will have a positive impact on City Council, and that harmony will reign there between now and the next few months before the elections in November 2013. I sincerely wish them the best of luck," added Mr. Trudel.

"I feel that I have honoured my main and most important commitments, both in Montréal and in my own borough. I now want to devote my time to other interests, and in particular, to writing, to commentary, to certain forms of mentoring and consulting as well as to passing on to others—and especially to young people—my attachment to democratic and ethical values. The time has come to leave it to others to take care of guiding the destiny of this beautiful, great metropolis that Montréal truly is, and to do so in the way that they consider to be best and most efficient," he stressed.

Claude Trudel made a point of paying tribute to all those elected and public officials with whom he has had the pleasure of closely working for the past eleven years, as well as his various Borough colleagues, for their cooperation over the last seven years. He also thanked Verdunites for their confidence and trust.

As it may be recalled, Claude Trudel resigned, last Monday, from his position as Chairman of the Montréal Agglomeration Council meetings.

SOURCE: VILLE DE MONTREAL - ARRONDISSEMENT DE VERDUN

For further information:

Pierre Tessier
Associé principal
Communications Infrarouge
514 233-1636
pierre.tessier@cominfrarouge.com
 
Francine Morin
Chef de division, Protocole et relations publiques
Arrondissement de Verdun
514 765-7282
francinemorin@ville.montreal.qc.ca