“It’s crap”: Denis Coderre on negative comments about Montreal and sports

Marc-Olivier Cook
“It’s crap”: Denis Coderre on negative comments about Montreal and sports
Credit: Screenshot / Google

Denis Coderre has always been a sports fan.

The former mayor of Montreal is now governor and president of the Montreal Toundra, and he was on BPM Sports earlier this morning to talk about his team's season opener this weekend.

Three games will be presented at the Centre Pierre Charbonneau this week, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

That said, Max Lalonde took advantage of the former mayor's visit to ask him a few questions about recent comments involving sports and Montreal. We know that this has been the subject of much debate in recent months…

In Denis Coderre's eyes, hearing bad comments about the city— Max Lalonde referred to the recent Coupe des Présidents and the Grand Prix in 2024, which didn't go so well logistically —is nonsense.

Because the former mayor is categorical: the city of Montreal has what it takes to host major events of this kind.

I think we can do a lot of great things if we believe in it. – Denis Coderre

Mr. Coderre reiterated that it takes a present mayor to make these things a success, and that the city of Montreal can start to shine again if we can do things the right way:

Let's stop turning ministries of health into ministries of disease management, let's work on prevention and let's invest in sport both socially and economically. – Denis Coderre

That's also true.

Because in Montreal, many sports shine. There are hockey, soccer, football, and basketball clubs… And we also know that the city is capable of hosting major events that make Montreal shine on the international scene.

The World Road Cycling Championships, to be held in Montreal this September, are a fine example. As is the Grand Prix, which puts Montreal on the map every year…

You can tell from Denis Coderre's words that he is disturbed by what has been said about the city of Montreal in the sporting arena in recent months. He made no secret of it in his interview with Max Lalonde, and he wants to set the record straight.

And that's normal in a way, because during his time as mayor of Montreal, he made a number of efforts to make sport part of Montrealers' identity.

That said, Denis Coderre says he has confidence in Soraya Martinez Ferrada for the future… and I can't wait to see what happens.


Overtime

– Really?

– I love his comments.

– Of note.

– That's a good one.

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