Lionel Perez to run for borough mayor in Cte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce

Lionel Perez, the leader of the opposition at Montreal city hall, is running formayor in the borough ofCte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grceas part ofDenis Coderre's party.

Perez will face off against incumbent Sue Montgomery. He has been city councillor for the Darlington district for the past 12 years.

During that time, he took over asinterim borough mayor for one year, from November 2012 to November 2013, after Michael Applebaumwas appointed mayor of Montreal.

Perezserved as leader ofEnsemble Montralfrom 2017 until recently, when he steppedaside for Coderre, who is running as mayor of Montreal once again.

Perez, a lawyerspecializing in business and information technology law,said in a statementhe wants to put his "inclusive and collaborative vision, with leadership focused on solutions, at the service of the entire borough."

He saidimproving services and quality of life will be at the forefront of his priorities.

Projet Montralhas yet to name a candidate in the race. Montgomery was removed from the party earlier this yearfor refusing to fire her chief of staff following a harassment investigation by the city's comptroller general.

Montgomery will run in the next election under her own, newly formed party, Courage.