Vision Montreal picks new leadersTo replace outgoing Pierre Bourque; As
expected, Noushig Eloyan to lead at city hall while Francois Purcell takes
reins of party

The Gazette
Published: Monday, May 08, 2006

The two politicians charged with leading Vision Montreal in the post-Pierre
Bourque era say the party is in fine health and sound financial shape.

As expected, Francois Purcell was named the party’s new leader and Noushig
Eloyan the official opposition leader at the party’s general council
yesterday.

Both are Vision Montreal city councillors.

“Are you worried for our future?” Purcell asked during his closing speech in
the small auditorium at College Maisonneuve. Several people in the audience
called out “no” and “not at all.”

“You answered the same thing as me,” Purcell said to applause.

Bourque, a former mayor of Montreal, resigned on Friday as leader of the
municipal party he founded 12 years ago.

After yesterday’s gathering, Eloyan noted that party leaders often leave the
day after an electoral defeat, leaving the troops in a difficult position.
But she praised Bourque for taking time to put things in order before
deciding to step down.

“For the past six months he made sure that the party was in good financial
health,” Eloyan said. “There is no debt at all. There is still money for the
party to move on.”

Vision Montreal currently has 3,000 members and it plans to launch a
recruitment campaign, she said.

Bourque said Vision Montreal is in good hands.

“The party will change, it will evolve, but I think the inspiration, the
values will remain the same,” Bourque said.

Eloyan said the party will continue to defend Montrealers and act as
watchdogs to ensure that Mayor Gerald Tremblay’s administration doesn’t
deviate too much from its promises.

Purcell conceded last week that a full leadership race will be held closer
to the 2009 municipal election. But yesterday neither he nor Eloyan seemed
eager to discuss their political future in that regard.

“The big challenge is to unite our strengths, to be a good opposition, to
put pressure on the administration, (and) especially to win over voters in
general,” Eloyan said.

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2006