In bid to extend its reach, Projet Montral recruits West Island borough mayor

The mayor of le-BizardSainte-Genevive has joined ProjetMontral, as Montreal's Official Opposition party tries to expand its reach into the island's suburbs ahead of this year's municipal elections.

Normand Marinacci has made the jump from Vrai Changement pour Montral, the third opposition party, to Projet Montral.

"Normand is a respected borough mayor who shares Projet Montral's vision. His hard work towards improving the quality of life of his citizens makes him an important addition," Leader Valrie Plante said in a news release.

Marinacci is now the fourth borough mayor among Projet Montral's ranks, along withBenoitDorais, mayor of the Southwest borough who joined the party at the end of May, andmainstaysPlateau-Mont-Royal Mayor Luc Ferrandez and RosemontLa-Petite-Patrie Mayor Franois Croteau.

• Borough mayorBenoitDoraisjoinsProjetMontralahead of fall election

Borough councillors Christian Larocque and Jean-Dominic Lvesque-Ren also left Vrai Changement to join ProjetMontral. Lachine councillor Maja Vodanovic switched over from Mayor Claude Dauphin's party earlier this year.

Projet Montral's strongholds are in Montreal's denser areas, and the party pridesitself on its advocacy for cycling and public transit. But in preparation for the election, it has been broadening its base.

"We need to find a way to connect with all the citizens, wherever they are on the island," Plante saidon CBC Montreal's Daybreak last month.