PQ ministers say the mayor of Laval had no choice but to step aside.

Many gave their two cents on Gilles Vaillancourt's recent announcement as they headed into meetings to prepare for next week's start to the National Assembly session.

"Mayor Vaillancourt took the right decision. In his case, he was personally targeted by the investigations, so he had no choice," said the Minister for Montreal, Jean-François Lisée.

In crisis

Asked about whether Montreal's two biggest cities were in crisis, minister Lisée gave a blunt "Yes." But, he says that does not mean Laval and Montreal are without leadership.

"Elected officials, the municipal boards, are working. decisions are being made. The only question left is the moral authority of the mayor of Montreal"

Lisée says Gerald Tremblay is not the subject of repeated police raids, so he should be left to make his own reflection on his future.

However, the minister for municipal affairs dropped strong hints about what that reflection should bring. "He needs to think about what is best for Montrealers," said Sylvain Gaudreault.

Taking credit

The Parti Quebecois is also taking partial credit for the recent shake-down.

"Do you see how things have change since the Parti Quebecois took power?" said Minister Agnes Maltais as she smiled into the cameras.

She says the latest news from both Montreal and Laval's mayors are the result of the public inquiry her party fought for.

photo of: Sylvain Gaudreault, minister of municipal affairs