Another day, another report of Michael Applebaum being investigated by the province's anti-corruption unit.

And as we hear from city hall, another denial from the Montreal mayor.

Applebaum held a news conference this morning to respond to a La Presse report that alleged irregularities in a snow removal contract in his former borough of Côte-des-Neiges-NDG in winter 2010 are also being investigated by UPAC. Applebaum was forced to defend himself again just a few days after he denied being under investigation in a controversial land transaction case.

"I spoke to a supervisor of the SQ and he told me very clearly that I am not under investigation. Did he tell me the truth? I believe he did tell me the truth," Applebaum told reporters.

"I sincerely believe in my heart without the shadow of a doubt that even if there are investigations, there's nothing going to happen and they're not going to go anywhere because I have done absolutely nothing wrong. I have nothing to be ashamed of, I have nothing to hide."

Leader of the official opposition Vision Montreal Louise Harel said in a statement that Quebec's public security minister has to clear the air because they can't let this atmosphere of uncertainty pervade city hall.

Richard Bergeron, leader of the second opposition Projet Montreal, said he accepts Applebaum's explanations - for now, adding they'll just have to let the chips fall where they may. Until then,

"I don't see any new reason to launch a mega-crisis in Montreal," Bergeron said.

Photo: Shuyee Lee