Montreal's opposition leader has taken steps to try to bring Expo 2020 to the city.

Vision Montreal leader Benoît Labonté has created a non-profit organization to work on a bid for the world fair, which he believes could revitalize the island.

He was only seven years old when Montreal hosted the highly successful Expo 67, but Labonté said it was an "extraordinary" event that brought magic to the city.

"What do the Expo 67 passports evoke?" he asked, holding up the distinctive red and gold booklet at a news conference.

"It evokes Montreal's greatness, the moment when we thought everything was possible in Montreal, that the future belonged to us."

"But mostly, it evokes a great sense of collective pride, probably the greatest in Montreal in the 20th century.

Montreal needs another dose, because "today, we're not leaders; we are followers," he said.

Hosting the International and Universal Exposition would provide an economic boost, he said.

The plan is Labonté's electoral trial balloon, and it "is full of hot air," accused Alan De Sousa, executive committee member in charge of economic development.

Montreal prefers to focus its efforts on major development projects, including plans for the harbourfront and the new downtown entertainment district, De Sousa said.