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Montreal to get special metropolis status in 2016

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Montreal to get special metropolis designation
WATCH ABOVE: Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre and Municipal Affairs Minister, Martin Coiteux, announced Montreal Friday that Montreal will be getting special metropolis status in 2016 – Feb 20, 2016

MONTREAL – After their first official meeting, Martin Coiteux and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre announced that Montreal will get special metropolis status in 2016.

Coiteux has taken on a new role as the Public Security and Municipal Affairs Minister after the recent cabinet shuffle, but he is also the minister responsible for the Montreal region.

READ MORE: Big changes as Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard shuffles cabinet

Coderre and Coiteux held a press conference Friday evening at Montreal City Hall after their first official meeting regarding the special status for the city.

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“We are the locomotive of Quebec, we have a role to play for the region and it’s important and imperative to have the tools to work with,” Coderre said.

The status will give Montreal more decision-making powers and allow the city to control its own finances to decide how its money is spent.

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The city would also have more of a say when it comes to infrastructure projects like bridges and roads, as well as seeking new sources of revenue.

READ MOREQuebec government signs fiscal pact with municipalities

“We’ll work on modernizing our institutions around negotiations in the public sector at the municipal level. We will work on these three things in 2016”.

It is unclear exactly when this legislation will roll out, however both Coiteux and Coderre agreed it is a priority for this year.

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