Luc Ferrandez says Projet Montral isn't 'radical' enough to fight climate change

LucFerrandezsays the time for taking a balanced approach to politics is over.

In an interview Wednesday, Ferrandezsaidhe decided to step downas mayor ofPlateau-Mont-Royalbecause he can accomplish more in the fight against climate change outsideMayorValrie Plante's administration.

"We had many occasions where I found out that I was much more radical than she was," Ferrandez told CBCMontreal'sDaybreak.

"She is a balanced person, and she is thinking in terms of balance, but not me. I am thinking in terms of crisis. We should not be balanced anymore."

Ferrandez, a divisive and prominent figure in municipal politics,has served as thePlateau-Mont-Royal borough mayor since 2009. He was alsointerim leader ofProjet Montral.

Ferrandezsaid he has no intention to run for provincial or federal office, though he didn't rule out an eventual return politics.

"I want to do conferences.I want to write a book. There's a lot of things I can do from the outside," he said.

Ferrandezsaid his party has done morefor the environment than the previous administration, butits policies don't go far enough.

Since Projet Montral took power in November 2017,Ferrandezsaid he hasbeen pushing for strongermeasures,including buying up green space in the city and turningall non-residentialparking spots into paid spots.

According to Radio-Canada sources, theparking plan was a subject of concernfor members of Plante's executive committee, who felt that his desire to eliminate free parking spots downtown would spark a public backlash.

Ferrandez said he felt his own reputation was being used to boost the party's reputation on the environment.

"I don't want to be used this way," he said.

'I was a very poor politician'

Ferrandez, who was re-elected twice as borough mayor, was a controversial figure for policies aimed at making the Plateau more livable and more bike- and pedestrian-friendly.

He narrowedmore streets to a single lane,introduced traffic calming measures andadded parking metersthat angered local merchants and commuters.

As far back as 2011, Ferrandezwas ranked the most frequently absent mayor at municipal council meetings.

On Daybreak, headmittedhe didn't like attendingthe meetings and preferred to get ahead on his work at his office.

Ferrandez said he was "a very poor politician," explaining that didn't like long discussions in council or policy-making, saying instead that he was a "man of action."

He hasn't, however, ruledoutthe possibility ofreturning to politics.

"It's the era ofValrie Plante. She will be re-elected in 2021, and I want her to be," he said.

Montreal doing its part, says Plante

Plantereacted publicly to the news of Ferrandez'sdeparture Wednesday morning, telling reporters sherespects her former colleague'scommitment to fighting climate change.

"There is a climate crisis, and we need to act but what needs to be understood is that there is the City of Montreal,but we can't act alone."

She said the city needs, first and foremost, to workwith the provincial and federal governments and takesteps to encourage public transport and green initiatives.

"For me, I really have the impression that we're doing our part," she said.

In recent weeks, Plante has madea series of announcementsaimed at reducing the city's greenhouse gas emissions, including a commitment to banning heating oil on the island.

Ferrandez argued those initiatives don't go far enough. In his resignation letter, he proposed what he described as environmental "war measures."

They include taxing meat, lobbying to block an airport expansion and planting half a million trees.

His call to action was well received by at least one environmentally minded politician.

Alex Tyrrell,leader of the Quebec Green Party, said on social media Ferrandez'sresignation"should be the beginning of a major debate within the Projet Montral."

Alex Norris was named interim mayor on Wednesday.

Abyelection to replace Ferrandez will be held in October.