With just nine days to go in this election campaign the talked turned to the safety of well being of all Montrealers, including those with four legs.
Current Mayor Denis Coderre was in Angrignon Park in the South West borough, promising to make the area safer.
While he was looking out for Montrealers physical well being, he announced he now supports a tax on sugary drinks aimed at promoting healthy habits.
"I think that it would be a good way to change behavior and focus on public health so it is a matter of public health, it is a matter of food safety, and it's at the same time a dedicated fund that will permit us to focus specifically with those kinds of programs," Coderre said.
The Mayor added revenues from such a tax would go to the city's new program to help underprivileged children.
"To think otherwise outside of the box and change the behaviors not only through sustainable development but at the same time in the way that we can fund that kind of strategy," said Coderre.
Prior to Thursday's announcement Coderre had been opposed to such a tax, which had been previously brought up at City Hall by city councillor and the leader of Coalition Montreal, Marvin Rotrand, two years ago.
"It comes out of the blue less than two weeks before the election when he's never mentioned it since the motion in 2015 which he wouldn't vote for," Rotrand told CTV Montreal.
Regardless, Rotrand said he would still support the measure.
Projet Montreal however does not.
Party leader Valerie Plante agreed that more should be done to promote a healthier lifestyle, but creating a new tax is not the way. She said the City needs to be more proactive; vending machines in cafeterias need to offer healthier options to keep kids eating right.
Responsible Pet Ownership
Projet Montreal said it wants to look out for all Montrealers, even those with fur and four legs.
The party promised to repeal the city's controversial animal control bylaw, also known as the pit bull ban.
Sterling Downey, Projet Montreal's animal welfare critic told the CBC if elected the party would look to educate pet owners and promote responsible dog ownership.
Downey said a dog's aggressive behaviour can often be traced back to the owner.
He said a new animal control bylaw would resemble the one currently being used in Calgary, which experts hail as one of the best in the business.
A Projet Montreal administration would not require dogs of certain breeds or size to be muzzled. Only dogs deemed dangerous by a professional.
Downey said the goal is to not penalize an animal that has done nothing wrong.
The party said it would hold public consultations before applying any animal control bylaw.
Projet Montreal's campaign platform has several measures related to animals in Montreal, including replacing caleches with cruelty free activities, increasing the number of dog runs and requiring existing pet stores to offer animal adoptions.
Team Denis Coderre's platform has no mention of animal issues.