The City of Montreal has announced a hiring freeze until October, and at least one borough mayor is not happy about it.

Anie Samson, mayor of Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension, said swimming pools are closed because she can't hire lifeguards.

"Yes, I have a few pools closed because of that, and I have other problems. I have a budget, but I don't have the power to hire people. So what is my job?"

Régis Boudreault, who is responsible for labour relations with the city's blue-collar workers, said the freeze is necessary.

He said many activities and programs are under review right because the city needs to cut corners to pay down a $400-million deficit.

"It wouldn't make sense to hire or keep hiring people into programs that are going to be modified or maybe possibly cancelled," said Boudreault.

That's exactly what worries Samson.

"That means that they are going to come to the budget in September and cut in my borough. If they have to cut, they cut in the city hall, not in my borough. We are the poorest one in Montreal."

Samson said she plans to seek legal advice, because she thinks the city doesn't have the right to impose a hiring freeze on the borough.