Opposition parties at city hall aren't giving the nod of approval just yet to Richard Deschamps, Union Montreal's candidate for interim mayor of Montreal.

Projet Montreal city councillor Alex Norris says the party will not support any candidate who refuses to review the proposed 3.3 per cent tax hike, something Richard Deschamps apparently doesn't want to do.

"Mr. Deschamps is a problematic candidate in that he has been the member of the administration who's been most vigorous in defending the system in place," he said.

Vision Montreal leader Louise Harel says she's not sure Deschamps is open-minded enough to become interim mayor.

"We need a very major cleanup and it doesn't look like he's ready to do that," she said.

Both parties say they might present their own candidates for interim mayor next week.

The deadline to submit a candidate's name is Thursday, Nov. 15 and a vote in council will be held the next day, Friday, Nov. 16.

Photo: La Presse