Anne-France Goldwater announces support for Projet Montral's Valrie Plante

Prominent Montreal lawyer Anne-France Goldwater, who was considering a runfor mayor last year, announced her support for Projet Montral leader Valrie Plante Monday.

"A political career is for someone who wants to improve society," Goldwater said in a news conference outside the Montreal courthouse. "I've found thatin Valrie Plante."

"It is time for us to elect our first woman mayor,"Goldwatersaid.

Goldwaterisa family lawyer involved in some of Quebec's best-known cases, such as the fight for the rights of common-law ex-spouses inLola versus Eric, anda television personality on the show l'Arbitre.

• Lawyer to become Quebec's 'Judge Judy'

She most recently came to public attention for her strongstance against Mayor Denis Coderre'spit bull by-law.

'Throw the bum out': Goldwater on Coderre

That wasn't the first time she took on Coderre's leadership.

She called for the mayorto step down after his trip to Tehran last year, calling him "pro-terrorist,"and she echoed her distaste for him Monday.

"Throw the bum out," she said, in English, adding in French, "There is no polite way to say that in French."

GoldwatercriticizedCoderrefor having spent a billion dollars for Montreal's375thanniversary festivities, among other things.

"Shame on you!" saidGoldwater.

Last October, Goldwater said she was considering running for mayor because of her frustration withhow the city was being managed.

Although she considers herself more conservative than Plante in terms of political world view, Goldwater said she thinks it's time to put these differences aside.

She said she believes young people have no confidencein the city's administration.

"They would like to know that people of different political stripes can get together and set aside these political allegiances for the sake of making this city the best city in North America."

'Montrealers have lost faith,' Plante says

"Montrealers have lost faith," echoed Plante. She, too, citeddissatisfaction with how lavishly the city spent money on Montreal's375th anniversary celebrations and events such as Formula E.

She saidshe believes the city should do more to protect cyclists, referring to the death of Mathilde Blais under the viaduct on St-Denis Streetin Rosemont in 2014.

The city announced Friday it would invest $150 million over five years to develop the city's cycling infrastructure.

Municipal elections are on Nov. 5.