Denis Coderre

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| name = Denis Coderre

| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|PC|size=100%}}

| image = Réseau Express Métropolitain (inauguration) 13 - Denis Coderre (3-5 crop).jpg

| caption = Coderre in 2023

| order = 44th

| office = Mayor of Montreal

| term_start = November 14, 2013

| term_end = November 16, 2017

| predecessor = Laurent Blanchard

| successor = Valérie Plante

| office1 = President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada

| primeminister1 = Paul Martin

| term_start1 = December 12, 2003

| term_end1 = July 19, 2004

| predecessor1 = Stéphane Dion

| successor1 = Lucienne Robillard

| office2 = Ministers of Citizenship and Immigration

| primeminister2 = Jean Chrétien

| term_start2 = January 15, 2002

| term_end2 = December 11, 2003

| predecessor2 = Elinor Caplan

| successor2 = Judy Sgro

| office3 = Secretary of State (Amateur Sport)

| primeminister3 = Jean Chrétien

| minister3 = Sheila Copps

| term_start3 = August 3, 1999

| term_end3 = January 14, 2002

| predecessor3 = Sheila Copps (as minister of Amateur Sport)

| successor3 = Paul DeVillers

| parliament4 = Canadian

| riding4 = Bourassa

| term_start4 = September 22, 1997

| term_end4 = June 2, 2013

| predecessor4 = Osvaldo Nunez

| successor4 = Emmanuel Dubourg

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|07|25}}

| birth_place = Joliette, Quebec, Canada

| death_date =

| death_place =

| profession = {{hlist|Insurance broker|public relations officer|announcer}}

| party = Liberal (federal)
Quebec Liberal (provincial)
Ensemble Montréal (municipal)

| spouse = Chantale Renaud{{cite news |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/201311/09/01-4708918-denis-coderre-le-rocky-de-la-politique.php |title=Denis Coderre: le Rocky de la politique |lang=fr |trans-title=Denis Coderre: The political Rocky |date=November 9, 2013 |last=Gagnon |first=Katia |work=La Presse |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104185837/https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/201311/09/01-4708918-denis-coderre-le-rocky-de-la-politique.php |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

| children = 2

| residence = Montreal, Quebec

| footnotes =

}}

Denis Coderre {{post-nominals|country=CAN|PC}} ({{IPA|fr|dəni kɔdɛʁ}}; born July 25, 1963){{cite news |url=https://journalmetro.com/local/montreal-nord/605927/15-ans-de-vie-politique-pour-denis-coderre/ |title=15 ans de vie politique pour Denis Coderre |lang=fr |trans-title=Denis Coderre reaches 15 years in political life |date=November 5, 2012 |last=Lagacé |first=Roger |work=Métro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104190131/https://journalmetro.com/local/montreal-nord/605927/15-ans-de-vie-politique-pour-denis-coderre/ |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} is a Canadian politician who served as the 44th mayor of Montreal from 2013 to 2017.

Coderre was involved in federal politics as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, serving as the member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Bourassa from 1997 until 2013 and Immigration Minister from 2002 to 2003. Taking office as mayor of Montreal in 2013, he saw his reelection bid defeated in 2017 by Valérie Plante. In 2021, he lost again to Plante.

As mayor, Coderre unveiled the Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM) project in 2016 alongside Michael Sabia, then CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ).{{Cite web |date=22 April 2016 |title=Ambitious light rail project for Montreal proposed by Caisse de dépôt |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/caisse-de-depot-train-de-louest-champlain-bridge-1.3548109 |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=CBC News}}

Background

Born in Joliette, Quebec, Coderre is the son of Elphege Coderre, a carpenter, and Lucie Baillargeon. The family moved to Montréal-Nord in 1973, where Coderre attended École Secondaire Henri-Bourassa and Cégep Marie-Victorin. He has a BA in political science from the Université de Montréal and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Ottawa.

Federal politics

= Unsuccessful Liberal candidate =

Coderre ran unsuccessfully three times prior to being elected: first, in the 1988 election in the riding of Joliette, losing to the Progressive Conservative candidate, Gaby Larrivée; second, in a 1990 by-election in the riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie, losing to Gilles Duceppe; and third, in the 1993 elections in the riding of Bourassa, defeated by the Bloc Québécois candidate, Osvaldo Núñez.

= Member of Parliament =

Coderre was elected as a member of Parliament in 1997 representing the riding of Bourassa, located in Montreal, and was re-elected in the 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2011 federal elections. In August 1999 he was appointed secretary of state for amateur sport.

== Cabinet minister ==

In January 2002, he was appointed immigration minister.

On December 12, 2003, prime minister Paul Martin advised governor general Adrienne Clarkson to appoint Coderre to the Cabinet as president of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada where he was responsible for a number of files, such as the creation of the new Public Service Human Resources Management Agency. He was also the federal interlocutor for Métis and non-status Indians, the minister responsible for La Francophonie and the minister responsible for the Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution. Coderre was not re-appointed to Cabinet following the 2004 general election, despite being re-elected in his riding.

As minister of immigration, Coderre supervised the application of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which came into effect on June 28, 2002. As secretary of state for amateur sport, Coderre successfully negotiated a number of national and international agreements and helped to establish the World Anti-Doping Agency in Montreal.

Adil Charkaoui

As minister of immigration, Coderre was responsible for the detention of Adil Charkaoui, a Moroccan immigrant with a checkered travel history, on a security certificate. Restrictions on Charkaoui's conditional release were gradually lifted, and were cancelled in September 2009,{{cite news |url=https://montrealgazette.com/life/Anti+charter+rallies+going+ahead+Park+Quebec/9002415/story.html |title=Anti-charter rallies going ahead in Park Ex, Quebec |date=October 6, 2013 |last=Solyom |first=Catherine |work=The Gazette |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009041839/https://montrealgazette.com/life/Anti+charter+rallies+going+ahead+Park+Quebec/9002415/story.html |archive-date=October 9, 2013 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-course-of-the-case/article1202752 |title=The course of the case |date=September 24, 2009 |last=Freeze |first=Colin |work=The Globe and Mail |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104201851/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-course-of-the-case/article1202752/ |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} on his final release order by Federal Court judge Danièle Tremblay-Lamer.{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/r-v-charkaoui/article4295499 |title=R. v. Charkaoui |date=September 24, 2009 |last=Freeze |first=Colin |work=The Globe and Mail |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104202336/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/r-v-charkaoui/article4295499/ |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

== Sponsorship scandal ==

During the events of the sponsorship scandal, Coderre was accused of frequent confidential conversations with Pierre Tremblay, head of the Communications Coordination Services Branch of Public Works.{{cite news |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/438687569/203D8D1CD1754696PQ |title=Scandal tied to PMO; Chretien's aide made calls Insider Politicians deny applying pressure |date=March 13, 2004 |last=Cribb |first=Robert |work=Toronto Star |page=A01 |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 4, 2025 |id={{ProQuest|438687569}}}} Coderre has denied these allegations. His previous position as vice-president of public affairs for Le Groupe Polygone Éditeurs Inc. was judged to be a key connecting factor.

{{Cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/groupaction/sponsorshipprogram.html |title= Who's who: Companies |date=February 17, 2004 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104204402/https://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/groupaction/sponsorshipprogram.html |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} Close links to Claude Boulay of Groupe Everest, another actor in the sponsorship scandal, were also made during the Gomery Inquiry.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/groupaction/publicinquiry.html |title=Gomery Inquiry: A summary of the testimony |date=June 3, 2005 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104204956/https://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/groupaction/publicinquiry.html |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

== Shane Doan incident ==

During the 2006 election, Coderre accused National Hockey League player Shane Doan of uttering ethnic slurs directed against French-speaking referees at a game in Montreal. Coderre wrote a letter to the Canadian Olympic Committee asking them to keep Doan off Canada's 2006 hockey team competing at the Olympics in Turin, Italy. The Globe and Mail columnist Eric Duhatschek noted that "the NHL is tough on ethnic slurs ... if Mr. Coderre has any proof he should produce it. Otherwise he should just shut up." Hockey commentator John Davidson accused Coderre of "grandstanding" and criticized his accusation, saying that "a person shouldn't go stand on a platform and yell and scream about it when he doesn't even know the facts."{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/shane-doan-takes-legal-action-against-liberal-mp-1.614389 |title=Shane Doan takes legal action against Liberal MP |orig-date=January 17, 2006 |date=January 18, 2006 |work=CBC Sports |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104205556/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/shane-doan-takes-legal-action-against-liberal-mp-1.614389 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

Doan was given a gross misconduct penalty for verbal abuse of the officials at the end of the December 13, 2005 game between his team, the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Montreal Canadiens. Referees and linesmen for the game were all Francophones from Quebec. Although one of the linesmen, Michel Cormier, filed a report against the player, Doan was cleared by NHL's chief disciplinarian and executive vice-president Colin Campbell, who concluded that the allegations were baseless. Doan himself has denied that he ever made the ethnic slur.

In January 2006, Doan sued Coderre for character defamation seeking $250,000 in damages with Doan promising to donate all damages awarded to charities to benefit Canadians. In April 2007, Coderre counter-sued Doan for defamation seeking $45,000 in damages.{{cite news |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/357598414/B6A0034241E2433EPQ |title=MP Coderre counters Shane Doan |date=April 2, 2007 |work=Nelson Daily News |page=6 |agency=The Canadian Press |location=Montreal, Quebec, Canada |url-access=subscription |id={{ProQuest|357598414}}}}

== Opposition MP ==

Coderre won re-election to the House of Commons in 2006, but the Liberals lost the campaign and became the official opposition. Coderre was the Liberal defence critic. In 2007, Coderre made allegations against the previous chief of Defence Staff general Rick Hillier of being a "prop".{{cite news |url=http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=a101c9e1-f3be-4e5c-9cbb-cf1a83ff31b7 |title=Liberal slur worst insult, Hillier says |date=March 1, 2007 |work=National Post |location=Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109033859/http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=a101c9e1-f3be-4e5c-9cbb-cf1a83ff31b7 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |via=Canada.com}} Hillier, in return, accused Coderre of being more concerned with party image than in protecting Canadian Forces members.{{Cite book |title=A soldier first: Bullets, bureaucrats and the politics of war |last=Hillier |first=Rick |author-link=Rick Hillier |year=2009 |page=421 |publisher=HarperCollins |location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada |isbn=9781554684915}} In October 2007, Coderre made a self-planned visit to Afghanistan to visit the war-torn country and the Canadian Forces in the Kandahar region. He criticized the Harper government who did not invite him on an official tour of the country that was made by ministers Bev Oda and Maxime Bernier a few days before him. Consequently, Coderre, as Liberal defence critic, had to travel by himself at his own expense. He then mentioned that the mission in Afghanistan must change in 2009. The government had accused him of staging a stunt while he fired back that the Conservatives overestimated the success of the mission.{{cite news |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/coderre-arrives-in-kandahar-to-speak-with-troops-1.259283 |title=Coderre arrives in Kandahar to speak with troops |date=October 8, 2007 |work=CTV News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104212757/https://www.ctvnews.ca/coderre-arrives-in-kandahar-to-speak-with-troops-1.259283 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

=== Quebec lieutenant ===

On January 22, 2009, Coderre became the Quebec lieutenant of Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff. He had been offered the same assignment by former leader Stéphane Dion, but had declined the offer.{{cite news |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/22/01-820090-coderre-devient-lieutenant-politique-au-quebec.php |title=Coderre devient lieutenant politique au Québec |lang=fr |trans-title=Coderre named Quebec lieutenant |date=January 22, 2009 |work=La Presse |agency=La Presse Canadienne |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104213248/https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/22/01-820090-coderre-devient-lieutenant-politique-au-quebec.php |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

In 2009, future Green Party of Canada co-leader Jonathan Pedneault sought the Liberal nomination in his home district of Longueuil-Pierre-Boucher. Coderre, the party's lieutenant in Quebec, blocked his bid and appointed a candidate, despite Ignatieff's assurances the party would hold open nominations in all ridings not represented by a sitting MP.{{Cite news |title=Coderre gagne, le PLC perd |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/200909/22/01-904181-coderre-gagne-le-plc-perd.php |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2022 |newspaper=La Presse |date=22 September 2009 |last1=Marissal |first1=Vincent |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723232815/https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/200909/22/01-904181-coderre-gagne-le-plc-perd.php }} This prompted Pedneault to co-author an op-ed in La Presse calling on Ignatieff to uphold his promise to democratize the party.{{Cite news |title=Nous méritons mieux |newspaper=La Presse |date=24 September 2009 |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/votre-opinion/200909/24/01-905144-nous-meritons-mieux.php |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2022 |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723232815/https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/votre-opinion/200909/24/01-905144-nous-meritons-mieux.php }}

On September 28, 2009, Coderre resigned as Quebec lieutenant because of a disagreement with Ignatieff. Coderre had been tasked with picking 'star candidates' for the next election, attempting to replace Montreal-area MPs Stéphane Dion, Lise Zarac, and Bernard Patry, as well as Laval MP Raymonde Folco, at Ignatieff's request.{{cite news |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/330850745/99BADA17F334387PQ |title=Quebec smackdown |date=September 25, 2009 |last=MacDonald |first=L. Ian |author-link=L. Ian MacDonald |work=National Post |page=A17 |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 4, 2025 |id={{ProQuest|330850745}}}} Coderre had chosen Nathalie Le Prohon to run in Outremont, formerly a Liberal safe seat held by the NDP's Thomas Mulcair. However, Martin Cauchon was seeking a return to politics and wanted to run in Outremont, a riding he had held for 11 years prior to 2004 when then-Liberal leader Paul Martin would not guarantee Cauchon's nomination. Cauchon had served as Jean Chrétien's minister of justice and Quebec lieutenant. Cauchon preferred to seek help from Alfred Apps from Toronto instead of talking to Coderre and his team. Cauchon and Coderre had previously been close when both were part of Chrétien's cabinet, but some suggest that Coderre now saw Cauchon as a potential rival for influence over the Quebec wing of the Liberals, and perhaps in a future leadership convention.{{cite news |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/coderre-steps-down-as-ignatieff-s-quebec-lieutenant-1.438538 |title=Coderre steps down as Ignatieff's Quebec lieutenant |orig-date=September 28, 2009 |date=May 18, 2012 |work=CTV News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104220208/https://www.ctvnews.ca/coderre-steps-down-as-ignatieff-s-quebec-lieutenant-1.438538 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} Ignatieff initially sided with Coderre, then reversed his decision and allowed Cauchon to run in Outremont.

In Coderre's first press conference after resigning as Quebec lieutenant, he criticized Ignatieff's aides, all of whom were from Toronto. Coderre also skipped votes in the House of Commons in protest. Ignatieff later warned that Coderre would face expulsion from caucus if he did "any more damage to the party."{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/704251 |title=Rebel Coderre could get the boot |date=October 2, 2009 |last=Delacourt |first=Susan |author-link=Susan Delacourt |work=Toronto Star |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005173903/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/704251 |archive-date=October 5, 2009 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

In 2012, Coderre confirmed that he would not run for the leadership of the federal Liberal Party.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/coderre-not-running-for-liberal-leader-mum-on-mayor-s-race-1.1221352 |title=Coderre not running for Liberal leader, mum on mayor's race |orig-date=October 31, 2012 |date=November 1, 2012 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104220904/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/coderre-not-running-for-liberal-leader-mum-on-mayor-s-race-1.1221352 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

Mayoralty

= 2013 election =

Coderre resigned on June 2, 2013 to run for mayor of Montreal in the 2013 Montreal municipal election.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/denis-coderre-registered-as-montreal-political-party-1.1398672 |title='Denis Coderre' registered as Montreal political party |orig-date=April 26, 2013 |date=April 27, 2013 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104221911/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/denis-coderre-registered-as-montreal-political-party-1.1398672 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/denis-coderre-makes-mayoralty-bid-official-amid-protests-1.1317366 |title=Denis Coderre makes mayoralty bid official amid protests |orig-date=May 16, 2023 |date=May 17, 2013 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104221546/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/denis-coderre-makes-mayoralty-bid-official-amid-protests-1.1317366 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} He formed the Montreal municipal party Équipe Denis Coderre pour Montréal (alternatively Équipe Denis Coderre) though he had no previous provincial or municipal experience. Coderre was elected mayor of Montreal on November 3, 2013.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-municipal-elections-montreal-mayor-elect-denis-coderre-urges-unity-1.2335822 |title=Quebec municipal elections: Montreal mayor-elect Denis Coderre urges unity |orig-date=November 3, 2013 |date=November 4, 2013 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104221805/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-municipal-elections-montreal-mayor-elect-denis-coderre-urges-unity-1.2335822 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

= Spending of $410 million for Montréal's 375th anniversary in 2017 =

Coderre's municipal government contributed $410 million for events and projects for Montreal's 375th anniversary, which took place in 2017.{{cite news |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1033942/anniversaire-montreal-cout-festivite-fete-milliard |title=La Vérif : un milliard de dollars pour le 375e de Montréal |lang=fr |trans-title=La Vérif: A billion dollars for Montreal's 375th anniversary |date=May 16, 2017 |last=Cormier |first=François |work=Radio-Canada |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104222349/https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1033942/anniversaire-montreal-cout-festivite-fete-milliard |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} The figure of 410 million means $241 per person in Montreal (population 1.7 million). The total spending for the festivities exceeded $1 billion. The rest came from Quebec, Ottawa and private sources. For Montreal's contribution, the main achievements that remain include several sculptures in various parts of Montreal and some other beautification projects.{{cite web |url=https://ville.montreal.qc.ca/375/documents/mtl-375-bilan-final-fr.pdf |title=Bilan des legs: Projets urbains de la Ville de Montréal et de ses partenaires pour le 375e anniversaire de la métropole |lang=fr |trans-title=Legacy assessment: Urban projects in Montreal and its partners for the city's 375th anniversary |publisher=Ville de Montréal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121233011/https://ville.montreal.qc.ca/375/documents/mtl-375-bilan-final-fr.pdf |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} In addition, the Société des célébrations du 375e anniversaire de Montréal, to which Montreal was a major contributor, paid $9.5 million out of the total price of $40 million for the controversial light project of the Jacques Cartier Bridge. Some have found that the costs of the celebrations have not been worth the benefits.{{cite news |url=https://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/article265227.html |title=Boshra: Montreal's 375th birthday should be about more than spiffing up the city |date=July 15, 2020 |last=Boshra |first=Basem |work=The Gazette |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

= 2017 election =

Coderre ran for re-election in the 2017 Montreal municipal election on November 5, 2017.{{Cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3784803/montreal-elections-2017-mayor-denis-coderre-confident-in-growth-of-city |title=Montreal elections 2017: Mayor Denis Coderre reflects on last four years |orig-date=October 4, 2017 |date=October 22, 2017 |work=Global News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104223808/https://globalnews.ca/news/3784803/montreal-elections-2017-mayor-denis-coderre-confident-in-growth-of-city/ |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} In a surprise, Coderre lost the mayoral race to Valérie Plante, making her the first female elected Mayor for the city of Montréal.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-montreal-denis-coderre-valerie-plante-1.4388700 |title=Valérie Plante elected mayor of Montreal, beating out Denis Coderre |orig-date=November 5, 2017 |date=November 6, 2017 |last=Shingler |first=Benjamin |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224134059/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-montreal-denis-coderre-valerie-plante-1.4388700 |archive-date=December 24, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} After the election loss, he announced that he would be retiring from politics.{{Cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3845163/denis-coderre-quitting-political-life-after-losing-montreal-mayoral-race-to-valerie-plante/ |title=Denis Coderre 'quitting political life' after losing Montreal mayoral race to Valérie Plante |date=November 5, 2017 |last=Lau |first=Rachel |work=Global News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104224042/https://globalnews.ca/news/3845163/denis-coderre-quitting-political-life-after-losing-montreal-mayoral-race-to-valerie-plante/ |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

= Political positions =

== Lawsuit by Hamza Chaoui ==

On January 31, 2015, the Coderre administration denied a request to open an Islamic community centre in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood of Montreal because its imam Hamza Chaoui, had allegedly preached that Canadians ought to change their legal system to sharia.{{cite news |url=http://tvanouvelles.ca/lcn/judiciaire/archives/2015/03/20150330-135009.html |title=Le maire Denis Coderre refuse de s'excuser |lang=fr |trans-title=Mayor Denis Coderre refuses to apologize |date=March 30, 2015 |last=Pineda |first=Améli |work=TVA Nouvelles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104225541/https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2015/03/30/le-maire-denis-coderre-refuse-de-sexcuser |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} Chaoui filed a lawsuit on July 9 for defamation against Coderre and the city of Montreal. Chaoui characterised Coderre's remarks as an attack on his dignity, honour and reputation.{{cite news |url=http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/societe/2015/07/09/004-poursuite-imam-chaoui-hamza-ville-montreal-maire-denis-coderre.shtml |title=L'imam Chaoui poursuit Denis Coderre et la Ville de Montréal |lang=fr |trans-title=Imam Chaoui sues Denis Coderre and the city of Montreal |date=July 9, 2015 |work=Radio-Canada |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104230216/https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/729096/poursuite-imam-chaoui-hamza-ville-montreal-maire-denis-coderre |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} Réal Ménard, the borough mayor of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, supported Coderre's position.

== Coderre jackhammer vs. mailbox stunt ==

In August 2015, Coderre took a jackhammer to a Canada Post community mailbox foundation in l'Anse-à-l'Orme Nature Park. He was dismissive of concerns that his action was illegal. The Province of Quebec's Crown prosecutors office confirmed that Coderre would not face charges for the media stunt.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/canada-post-denis-coderre-jackhammer-1.3365093 |title=No charges for Denis Coderre in jackhammer vs. mailbox stunt |orig-date=December 14, 2015 |date=December 15, 2015 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104230427/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/canada-post-denis-coderre-jackhammer-1.3365093 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

== Environmental issues ==

From October 18, 2015 until October 25, 2015, Coderre authorized the dumping for 8 billion litres of untreated sewage into the Saint Lawrence River to facilitate repairs to Montreal's sewer system. The incident was widely criticized by Environment and Climate Change Canada, Infrastructure Canada, and a petition of over 55,000 signatures.{{cite news |url=https://www.montrealgazette.com/news/article349472.html |title='We didn't have a choice,' Coderre says of sewage dump |date=July 12, 2020 |last=Bruemmer |first=René |work=The Gazette |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

On January 21, 2016, Coderre, along with other officials of the Montreal Metropolitan Community (Communauté Métropolitaine de Montréal), formally opposed the Energy East pipeline project based on environmental concerns.{{cite web |url=http://cmm.qc.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/20160121_transCanada_RapportConsultation.pdf |title=Rapport de consultation publique de la commission de l'environment: Projet oléoduc Energie Est Transcanada |lang=fr |trans-title=Public consultation report from the environment commission: The Transcanada Energy East pipeline |date=December 2015 |publisher=Communauté Métropolitaine de Montréal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821134547/http://cmm.qc.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/20160121_transCanada_RapportConsultation.pdf |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} His position was denounced by Conservative Party of Canada interim leader Rona Ambrose, Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall and Alberta Wildrose Party leader Brian Jean.{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/01/25/rona-ambrose-denis-coderre-energy-east_n_9070190.html |title=Rona Ambrose: Denis Coderre's Opposition To Energy East 'Not In The Spirit Of Confederation' |date=January 25, 2016 |last=Maloney |first=Ryan |work=HuffPost |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104231450/https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/rona-ambrose-denis-coderres-opposition-to-energy-east-not-in_n_9070190 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/montreal-mayor-fires-back-feisty-tweet-at-sask-premier-1.3415474 |title='This is a sad day for our country': Premier Brad Wall slams Montreal Mayor |date=January 22, 2016 |last=Kotzer |first=Madeline |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104231626/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/montreal-mayor-fires-back-feisty-tweet-at-sask-premier-1.3415474 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/01/22/energy-east_n_9044226.html |title=Energy East Rejection By Montreal Mayors Prompts Response From Prairie Politicians |orig-date=January 21, 2016 |date=January 22, 2016 |last=Rieger |first=Sarah |work=HuffPost |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104231757/https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/energy-east-rejection-by-montreal-mayors-prompts-response-from-p_n_9044226 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

== Pit bull ban ==

On September 27, 2016, Montreal passed a citywide pit bull ban. Coderre was an advocate for the bylaw, stating that "my duty as mayor of Montreal is making sure I am working for all Montrealers, and I am there to make sure they feel safe and that they are safe."{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-pit-bull-dangerous-dogs-animal-control-bylaw-1.3780335 |title=Montreal passes controversial pit bull ban |orig-date=September 27, 2016 |date=September 28, 2016 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104232101/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-pit-bull-dangerous-dogs-animal-control-bylaw-1.3780335 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} The bylaw creates a citywide ban on new pit bull-type dogs from being owned and added restrictions on those currently in the city. The bylaw also places new restrictions on all dogs and cats within the city and its 19 boroughs.{{cite news |url=https://www.durhamregion.com/news/montreal-adopts-controversial-pit-bull-ban/article_49fafe5e-7e99-5df4-8f73-c61dae9f7239.html? |title=Montreal adopts controversial pit bull ban |date=September 28, 2016 |work=DurhamRegion.com |agency=The Canadian Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104232505/https://www.durhamregion.com/news/montreal-adopts-controversial-pit-bull-ban/article_49fafe5e-7e99-5df4-8f73-c61dae9f7239.html? |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} Animal protection groups such as the Montreal SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) stated that if the new bylaw passed they would take legal action against the city.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-spca-to-take-legal-action-against-new-bylaw-targeting-pit-bulls-1.3782670 |title=Montreal SPCA to take legal action against new bylaw targeting pit bulls |orig-date=September 28, 2016 |date=September 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104232707/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-spca-to-take-legal-action-against-new-bylaw-targeting-pit-bulls-1.3782670 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

On October 3, 2016, a Quebec judge temporarily suspended the pit bull ban part of the bylaw.{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/montreal-spca-challenges-pit-bull-ban-in-court-as-discriminatory/article32216960 |title=Judge temporarily suspends controversial Montreal pit bull ban |date=October 3, 2016 |last=Banerjee |first=Sidhartha |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Montreal, Quebec, Canada |agency=The Canadian Press |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111092452/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/montreal-spca-challenges-pit-bull-ban-in-court-as-discriminatory/article32216960/ |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |access-date=January 11, 2025}} Two days later the judge decided to extend the suspension on the grounds that the bylaw was too vague and imprecise, claiming that "this court has the impression that certain articles of the bylaw were written in haste."{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/pit-bull-ban-suspension-decision-1.3791367 |title=Judge extends suspension of Montreal pit bull ban |orig-date=October 5, 2016 |date=October 6, 2016 |last=Bernstein |first=Jaela |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111092604/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/pit-bull-ban-suspension-decision-1.3791367 |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |access-date=January 11, 2025}} An appeal court overturned the decision and Coderre's pit bull ban was in effect in Montreal from December 1, 2016{{cite news |url=https://www.montrealgazette.com/news/article543403.html |title=Appeal court overturns suspension of Montreal's pit bull bylaw |date=December 2, 2016 |last=Delean |first=Paul |work=The Gazette |access-date=January 11, 2025}} to December 20, 2017, when the administration of new mayor Valérie Plante repealed it in favor of a new animal by-law that didn't target specific breeds.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-to-roll-back-pit-bull-ban-1.4440030 |title=Montreal to lift controversial pit bull ban |orig-date=December 8, 2017 |date=December 9, 2017 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111093006/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-to-roll-back-pit-bull-ban-1.4440030 |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |access-date=January 11, 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-pit-bull-ban-1.4458038 |title=Montreal suspends controversial pit bull ban, new animal control bylaw in works |date=December 20, 2017 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111093133/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-pit-bull-ban-1.4458038 |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |access-date=January 11, 2025}} Opposition to Coderre's pit bull ban was an electoral issue during the 2017 Montreal municipal election.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/round-2-in-the-plante-vs-coderre-debate-rivals-clash-over-dogs-taxes-and-transit-1.4367615 |title=Round 2 in the Plante vs. Coderre debate: Rivals clash over dogs, taxes and transit |orig-date=October 23, 2017 |date=October 24, 2017 |last=Montpetit |first=Jonathan |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111093323/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/round-2-in-the-plante-vs-coderre-debate-rivals-clash-over-dogs-taxes-and-transit-1.4367615 |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |access-date=January 11, 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/montreal/511142/mairie-de-montreal |title=Mairie de Montréal: pitbulls, baseball et affichage bilingue |lang=fr |trans-title=Montreal mayoralty: Pit bulls, baseball, and bilingual signage |date=October 24, 2017 |last=Corriveau |first=Jeanne |work=Le Devoir |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 11, 2025}}

Post-mayoral career

Coderre was an administrator of Eurostar from 2018 to 2021,{{cite news |url=https://www.montrealgazette.com/news/article178334.html |title=Under pressure, Coderre finally reveals his private sector clients |date=November 3, 2021 |last=Magder |first=Jason |work=The Gazette |access-date=January 4, 2025}} as well as a special advisor for the FIA since 2019.{{Cite news |url=https://www.montrealgazette.com/news/article403800.html |title=Denis Coderre has new job as special adviser for F1 sanctioning body |date=April 30, 2019 |last=Scott |first=Marian |work=The Gazette |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

After much speculation, Coderre had announced his intention to run for mayor of Montreal in the 2021 Montreal municipal election.{{Cite news |url=https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/montreal-deserves-better-former-mayor-denis-coderre-will-run-for-office-in-november-1.5365922 |title='Montreal deserves better': Former mayor Denis Coderre will run for office in November |orig-date=March 28, 2021 |date=March 30, 2021 |last=Caruso-Moro |first=Luca |work=CTV News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104224418/https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/montreal-deserves-better-former-mayor-denis-coderre-will-run-for-office-in-november-1.5365922 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} On April 7, 2021 he became leader of the municipal party Ensemble Montréal, which was formerly called Équipe Denis Coderre.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/denis-coderre-party-montreal-name-change-accepted-1.4484411 |title=Denis Coderre's old party changes name to Ensemble Montréal |date=January 12, 2018 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104224722/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/denis-coderre-party-montreal-name-change-accepted-1.4484411 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2021/04/07/premiere-journee-de-denis-coderre-comme-chef-densemble-montreal |title=Première journée de Denis Coderre comme chef d'Ensemble Montréal |lang=fr |trans-title=First day for Denis Coderre as Ensemble Montréal's leader |date=April 7, 2021 |work=Le Journal de Montréal |agency=Agence QMI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104225014/https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2021/04/07/premiere-journee-de-denis-coderre-comme-chef-densemble-montreal |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} On November 7, 2021, he was defeated once again by Valérie Plante. After the election loss, he announced once again that he would be retiring from politics.{{Cite news |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2021-11-12/denis-coderre-quitte-la-vie-politique.php |title=Denis Coderre quitte la vie politique |lang=fr |trans-title=Denis Coderre quits political life |date=November 12, 2021 |last=Teisceira-Lessard |first=Philippe |work=La Presse |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104225238/https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2021-11-12/denis-coderre-quitte-la-vie-politique.php |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

In April 2023, Coderre suffered a mild stroke.{{cite news |url=https://www.montrealgazette.com/news/article46873.html |title=Former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre suffered a mild stroke |date=April 17, 2023 |last=Cherry |first=Paul |work=The Gazette |access-date=January 4, 2025}}

Coderre was a candidate in the 2025 Quebec Liberal Party leadership election.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/coderre-decision-leadership-liberals-1.7241189 |title=Denis Coderre clings to politics, enters Quebec Liberal Party leadership race |date=June 21, 2024 |last1=Ouid-Hammou |first1=Hénia |last2=Nerestant |first2=Antoni |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104191134/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/coderre-decision-leadership-liberals-1.7241189 |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025}} He was disqualified by the party's Electoral Committee on February 7, 2025. While no reason for the move was issued publicly, the action followed reports that Coderre owed more than $130,000 in provincial taxes and more than $266,000 to the Canada Revenue Agency.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/coderre-plq-leadership-bid-rejected-1.7453156 |title=Quebec Liberal Party electoral committee rejects Denis Coderre leadership bid |date=February 7, 2025 |work=CBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302221954/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/coderre-plq-leadership-bid-rejected-1.7453156 |archive-date=March 2, 2025 |access-date=March 2, 2025}}

In May 2025, Coderre endorsed Conservative Party of Quebec leader Eric Duhaime in his by-election bid in Arthabaska.https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2025-05-29/partielle-dans-arthabaska/denis-coderre-appelle-les-liberaux-a-voter-pour-eric-duhaime.php

Honours

100px

class="wikitable"
style="background:silver;" align="center" \|Ribbon	Description	Notes
100px	Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for Canada	* 2002 As the Minister of Immigration and an elected Member of the House of Commons of Canada, the Honourable Denis Coderre would be awarded the medal as a member of the Canadian order of precedence.{{citation needed\|date=June 2017}}
100px	Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for Canada	* 2012 As a member of Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada, the Honourable Denis Coderre was awarded the medal as a member of the Canadian order of precedence.{{citation needed\|date=June 2017}}