Montreal, QC – A document obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) under the Access to Information Act has revealed that Montreal mayor Denis Coderre's administration spent $126,432.66 to design and promote the city's new flag, which was adopted as part of its 375^th anniversary this year.

Almost half this amount, or nearly $60,000 of taxpayers' money, went toward the production and distribution of the promotional video, as well as toward ad space on social media. (Photo: Mayor Denis Codere Credit: Michael Ignatieff / Flickr Photographer: George Alexandar)

“Although the reasons for adopting this new flag may be noble, we're asking how appropriate it is to spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to support it on social media,” said Carl Vallée, Quebec Director of the CTF. “For us, this is another example of Mayor Coderre's lack of respect for Montrealers' pocketbooks.”

Mayor Coderre has a habit of frivolous public spending. Recently, he spent millions of dollars of city funds subsidizing a Formula E race – this while the circuit's other host cities used private money. During the municipal election campaign currently underway, he also hinted that he would not hesitate to use public money to bring a baseball team back to Montreal.

You can see the document by clicking here.