Coderre defends new communications head

Mayoral candidate Denis Coderre has named a former member of public relations firm Octane Stratgies as the head of his campaign's communications.

Coderre introduced Yves Dupr on Tuesday in front of city hall, as he officially launched his bid for mayor.

Dupr stepped down from the firm yesterday, where he sat as chairman of the board of directors.

Octane grabbed headlines this past February when it was linked toanti-corruption unit (UPAC) raids carried out at city hall and at Union Montral offices.

The firm did work for the campaign of former mayor Grald Tremblay, when he ran for mayor in 2001.

At the time of the investigation, the firm released a statement saying it would fully co-operate with investigators looking into an alleged debt dating back to 2001 and owed by Union Montral to Octane Stratgies, which was formerly known as Groupe JCB.

The allegations suggest the debt was repaid using illegal methods in 2004.

Coderre defended his decision to appoint Dupr, who he called an amazing PR person.

Hes not a stockholder of Octane, he resigned. He never had any files with the city of Montreal itself, Coderre said.