John Belvedere Calls for a Recount for Mayor of Pointe-Claire – Montreal | The Canadian News

Outgoing Pointe-Claire Mayor John Belvedere is making one last push to keep his seat.

The one-term mayor hopes to extend his post as chief executive of the city of West Island and has submitted an official request for a vote recount.

Challenger Tim Thomas won the election on November 7 by 61 votes out of 9,877 valid cast votes.

“There are still many votes. I’m sure of it. There are many votes to find fault, ”Thomas told Global News from his antique shop on Cartier Avenue.

The business owner was supposed to be sworn in as mayor on Nov. 12, but that political process is on hold as a Quebec court judge assesses whether or not there is enough evidence to warrant a recount.

“It is really unfair to me. In the meantime, I have to keep a business running, and I have to schedule all of my product and what I’m doing according to what is happening to me now, ”said Thomas.

Belvedere declined an interview request from Global News. But in a text message, he wrote: “All I have to say is that we have submitted a request for a count at this time.”

READ MORE: The political landscape is changing on West Island and beyond after the municipal vote

Belvedere was elected in 2017 and expected to be re-elected.

A third candidate, Lois Butler, finished in third place. The election campaign was one of the most bitter elections for mayor between two favorite candidates he has witnessed in years.

“It has not been a pleasant campaign. Let’s put it that way, and I think the whole community has seen it, ”Butler told Global News from his boutique on Lakeshore Road.

The boutique owner won’t say what result she wants to see. You will let the legal system figure it out.

“Whatever the votes show,” he said.

It is unclear whether a judge will make the decision to order a recount. For now, the next council meeting, scheduled for Nov. 16, will likely be chaired by a city councilor.