I would like to sincerely thank all my supporters, volunteers, contributors and especially all the people in Jeanne-Mance who entrusted me with their votes. It was a pleasure to run in such a wonderful district.

Merci

Marc-Boris Sr-Maurice

I was overjoyed to read today the Montreal Gazette is a strong supporter of independent candidates for City Council. They advance many of the points my campaign has been driven by. Most importantly, a vocal non-partisan presence is essential to good governance. I strongly encourage everyone to read the article, and keep its message in mind when heading to the polls this Sunday, November 1st.

One party leader is plagued with scandals, the other with too much old baggage, and the third still wonders whether we landed on the moon or not (perhaps he should talk to Guy Laliberté). No wonder people are less than excited about this election.

Just the other day I had the pleasure of speaking with one of my favorite political commentators, Michel C. Auger. He expressed his opinion, shared by many, that “none of the above” seems to be the most appealing choice for mayor.

As an independent candidate, I think “non-partisan” is a far better choice for anyone considering “none of the above”.

Given the next mayor will be “one of the above”, the presence of an independent voice at City Hall is a must. We need to keep those who would pander to their party before helping their constituents in check. These checks and balances are basic principles in keeping leaders accountable.

As independent city councilor it is easier to take the city’s administration to task, to ask the tough questions, and to demand the answers. Internal partisan politics discourages these practices to the detriment of the district and makes it difficult to tackle strictly local needs.

None of the mayoral candidates can address hot button issues, like supervised injection sites. Yet on the Plateau, where intravenous drug use is rampant, it is a major concern.

Partisanship creates the cracks through which our less fortunate citizens tend to fall, but a vote for me as city councilor is a vote to fill those gaps with sound social policies.

Keep that in mind on November 1st.

There has been an outpouring of support for our Public Urinals proposal. Here are some links illustrating our “Number One” issue:

The Axixa is popular in Barcelona

The Kros offers 4-way access

Sept 30th, 2009

Some of you may have already noticed that two of the parties contesting this municipal election have chosen not to put up traditional election signs, and that the third party simply did not have the means to put enough up to get noticed. All three pat themselves on the back by claiming not wanting to pollute our “visual” environment.

Take a walk in my district and you will quickly notice I do not subscribe to that theory.

Election signs play a vital role in getting people to vote. We are currently witnessing the lowest voter turnout rate of all time and now they want to make the democratic process even more obscure by getting rid of signs?

Most of us barely have a clue that there is going to be an election this November 1^st, let alone who our candidates are. Election signs are the Pavlovian bells that awaken the reflex of asking ourselves “who are our leaders, and what the hell do they do?”

I am starting to wonder if certain political players on the municipal scene don’t want us to know there is an election. These political fixers gain by limiting participation to a small core of supporters over whom they exercise tight control instead of risking a wider, more volatile electorate.

Signs also help inform voters on what district or riding they are in. Just by their geographic whereabouts, voters can tell at a glance what area they are in, who is running, and most importantly, that they will be able to exercise their right to vote soon.

It’s not the signs that voters are sick of; it’s of our leaders and their strategists who would rather keep the majority in the dark in order to try and secure their own victory.

As for my signs, 100% of the materials will be recovered, re-used or eventually recycled. Putting up signs does not mean avoiding our environmental responsibilities.

Jeanne-Mance is the heart and soul of our great city. Residents, entrepreneurs, and thousands of visitors enjoy it every day. It’s where I live and work, and I love to call it home. What our community needs is a local, non-partisan voice at the table of City Council to represent our best interests. To that end, I have become an Independent Candidate for City Councilor in Jeanne-Mance District.

To see a map of Jeanne-Mance District with poling stations highlighted, please click on the OUR DISTRICT tab above. To learn about the policies on which I am basing my campaign, you can read all about them in the MY PLATFORM tab. You can also read about my personal history in the BIO tab. If you would like to call, write, or visit Campaign Headquarters (which is doubling as a Local Artist’s Gallery), feel free to look us up on the CONTACT tab. Be sure to check back here for the latest BLOG entries; you’ll get an inside look at how a grassroots campaign like this one builds momentum all the way to Election Day, November 1st.

Thanks for visiting, and I look forward to serving you as your Local, Independent City Councilor!

- Marc-Boris St-Maurice