The scandal-plagued mayor of Quebec's third-largest municipality is temporarily stepping away from his duties, citing health reasons.

An official at the city of Laval says Mayor Gilles Vaillancourt will leave his duties for a period of rest and reflection, while considering what to do next.

He says the decision stems from advice from his doctor.
 
Opposition party politicians in Laval say Vaillancourt should step down permanently.

"(Vaillancourt) is in no position to adminsiter this huge city," said Laval city councilor Emilio Migleeody, a member of opposition party Movement Lavallois.
 
Vaillancourt has had an iron grip on the city administration for 23 years, and faced almost no opposition over that time. He has a year left in his latest mandate.

The announcement tonight comes just hours after the latest anti-corruption squad raids on several of his bank security deposit boxes.