Mayor Tremblay Steps Down

First off, let's get one thing straight, the allegations into corruption in the construction industry predates Mayor Tremblay by decades. The involvement of the Italian mafia too is a fairly recent phenomena.

Rather, it's a common feature in Quebec politics.

Been hearing lots of interesting suggestions as to how to end this once and for all from removing the party system and weakening the power of the executive council that until recently has taken decisions in secret.

The only way to make things right is to make Montreal more transparent. I've often argued that on this front, we have a lot to learn from the Americans who are far more transparent. Access to public information is much easier down there.

Another angle I'd submit is that perhaps it's time Montreal - a bilingual, multicultural city despite what the PQ and nationalists say - elect its first Anglophone mayor since the turn of the last century.

The corruption is part of a machine in place among Francophones so maybe a non-Francophone coming in will bring in new blood. Not saying it will change it, but it's one good way to instill meaningful change if you really care about corruption.

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I have a friend from Boston who now lives and works in Montreal having married a Montrealer. He's basically a liberal-independent and has interesting perspectives on the good and bad of Montreal and Canada. Outside takes always tell many truths.

The one thing he finds fascinating is the strong existence of the Mafia in Montreal. The stories of corruption here just don't happen in the States as much - if at all - anymore. Boston and New York cleaned up their act by facing the mob long ago. I'm not sure about Chicago although it still seems to remain corrupt.

Even Philadelphia loosened the grip of the Mafia as I learned in a recent episode of 'Underworld Histories'

No wonder Italian authorities conclude Montreal is the favorite hub of the Mafia. We haven't tackled the problem with any will.