Housefather running for seat in federal riding

A well known mayor in the West End of Montreal is ready to give up his municipal office for a federal one.

Côte-St-Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather is running for the Liberal nomination in the Mount-Royal riding, hoping to be the Liberal candidate in the next federal election.

Housefather made the announcement at the Cavendish Mall Friday morning with the mayors of Westmount, Montreal West and TMR standing behind him.

”I think my support is very high,” he said.

Mount-Royal is made up of the cities of Côte-St-Luc, Hampstead and TMR. It’s been a Liberal stronghold for years.

But the Conservatives are gaining ground.

There was only a five percentage point difference between the two parties in the last federal election in 2011.

No one has announced their candidacy for the Conservative nomination in the Mount-Royal riding, but former Côte-St-Luc Mayor Robert Libman is considering a run.

It would be the second time the two candidates face off in a political fight.

The last show down concerned the Montreal de-merger debate in the early 2000s with Housefather supporting the break up of Montreal while Libman fought to keep the island-wide city intact.

For now, Housefather isn’t talking potential rivials.

Instead, he’s focusing on provincial issues such as the Charter of Values and he’s taking aim against Premier Pauline Marois on separation.

”Mme Marois lives in a fantasy world where her independent Quebec will be perfect in every way,” he said.

Housefather said he will resign as mayor of Côte-St-Luc if he’s nominated and wins the election in the Mount Royal riding.