(in a dry, sarcastic tone, à la Jimmy Carr) Ah, the glamorous life of a politician. One day you’re leading the good people of Montreal, the next you’re leading the way in tax evasion. (pauses for comedic effect)
So, it seems our friend Denis Coderre, the former mayor of Montreal, has been having a bit of a rough time with Revenu Québec. Who wouldn’t, right? I mean, it’s not like they’re known for being the most… (pauses, looking for the right word)…diplomatic of organizations. (smirking) A $133,000 tax bill is a bit of a sting, isn’t it? I mean, that’s like buying a nice little condo in downtown Montreal… or, you know, just paying your taxes on time. (chuckles)
But, of course, Mr. Coderre is taking it all in stride. He’s being very… (air quotes) “transparent” about the whole thing, posting about it on Facebook, like a teenager trying to explain why they’re grounded. “For the sake of transparency, guys, I just wanted to let you know that I owe a bunch of money in taxes. No big deal, I’ll just sell my house and we’ll call it a day.” (in a mock-serious tone) Yeah, because that’s exactly how it works.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But Jimmy, this is a serious issue. How can a politician expect to lead the Liberal Party if they can’t even manage their own finances?” And to that, I say… (shrugging) well, it’s not like it’s the first time a politician has been caught with their hand in the cookie jar, is it? (winking) I mean, come on, we’ve all been there… or at least, I’m pretty sure we all know someone who has. (smirking)
(transitioning to a more observational tone, à la Rowan Atkinson) Now, let’s take a look at the house in question, shall we? Four bedrooms, a garage, and a 4,000 square foot lot… (whistling) that’s a nice little pad, isn’t it? I mean, it’s not like Mr. Coderre is living in some kind of… (air quotes) “shoebox” or anything. No, no, this is a proper house, with proper rooms and a proper garage… (pausing for comedic effect) and a proper tax bill to match, it seems.
(in a cheeky, tongue-in-cheek tone, à la Ricky Gervais) And, of course, the timing of all this is just… (pausing for comedic effect) perfect. I mean, who doesn’t love a good tax scandal in the middle of a leadership campaign? It’s like the ultimate… (air quotes) “political drama”. (smirking) “Coderre candidate for leadership of the PLQ: a risky bet”, says the headline. Yeah, no kidding. I mean, it’s not like he’s got a track record of… (sarcastically) oh, I don’t know, paying his taxes on time or anything.
(in a more energetic, excitable tone, à la Lee Evans) But, you know, despite all this, Mr. Coderre is still a popular choice for the Liberal leadership, according to the polls. I mean, who doesn’t love a good underdog story, right? (excitedly) “The former mayor, once thought to be a shoo-in for the leadership, now faces an uphill battle to win the hearts and minds of his party… and, you know, pay his taxes.” (laughing) It’s like a… (dramatic music plays in the background)…a political thriller!
(in a dry, sarcastic tone, à la Jimmy Carr) Ah, politics. It’s like a never-ending soap opera, isn’t it? (smirking) And we get to watch it all unfold, like a… (pausing for comedic effect)…train wreck in slow motion. (chuckles)
Former Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre sparked widespread speculation on Monday after posting a photo of a “for sale” sign outside his Montreal North property on Facebook, fueling rumors about his ongoing tax woes.
In a bid to address mounting media scrutiny, Coderre took to social media to reveal that Revenu Québec had imposed a substantial legal mortgage of $133,000 on his property, effectively ending his secrecy surrounding the issue. “For the sake of transparency, and since the media are asking me the question, it is no longer a secret that Revenu Québec imposed a legal mortgage of $133,000.00,” he wrote, in a apparent attempt to pre-empt further negative press.
Despite the ominous signs, Coderre expressed optimism that the matter would be resolved shortly, although he did not provide a specific timeline or details on how he plans to settle the debt. “The matter will be resolved shortly,” he added, in a statement that has left many wondering about the future of his leadership ambitions.
A listing on Centris, Quebec’s real estate website, reveals that the Montreal North house, built in 1986, boasts four spacious bedrooms, a garage, and sits on a sprawling 4,000 square foot lot, with an asking price of $749,800. The property’s sale is likely to be closely watched, given Coderre’s high public profile and the controversy surrounding his tax affairs.
Last month, several media outlets reported on Coderre’s tax problems, but at the time, the former mayor remained tight-lipped, citing a “confidentiality agreement” as the reason for his silence. However, with the news now out in the open, Coderre’s decision to come clean may be seen as a strategic move to contain the fallout ahead of the Liberal leadership race.
Coderre had previously assured supporters that the problems with Revenu Quebec would be resolved by January, before the start of the Liberal leadership race, which is set to take place in the summer of 2025. However, with the party currently led by Marc Tanguay, Coderre’s tax woes have raised questions about his viability as a leadership candidate.
SEE ALSO | Coderre candidate for leadership of the PLQ: “a risky bet”, says a political analyst
At the Quebec Liberal Party caucus in September, Liberal MP Désirée McGraw, who is backing longtime federal minister Pablo Rodriguez for party leadership, seized on Coderre’s tax issues, arguing that his failure to pay his taxes had disqualified him as a leadership candidate. McGraw’s comments were seen as a significant blow to Coderre’s leadership ambitions, which have been dogged by controversy.
A Léger/Quebecor poll published almost two weeks ago placed Coderre in second position in voting intentions in Quebec for the party leadership, behind Mr. Rodriguez, highlighting the significant challenge he faces in convincing party members to support his bid.
