If elected mayor, Projet Montréal Leader Richard Begeron says he would change the way city hall is run by working with the opposition.

Bergeron proposed the creation of a coalition administration Tuesday during a debate before members of the Montreal Board of Trade.

Richard Bergeron, left, Louise Harel, centre, and Gerald Tremblay face off before members of Montreal's Board of Trade. (CBC) The current system provides members of the executive committee with too much power over decision-making, is a waste of resources and results in the rubber-stamping of decisions by city council, Bergeron said.

"The 50 or 60 other people in the same political party that is in power just say yes or no."

Bergeron said a Projet Montréal administration would name members of opposition parties to the executive committee.

"Using all the talents available in the room — that would be better," Bergeron said. "I will try it at the beginning for the first two years, and I’m sure it will work — if it [doesn’t] work, I will come back to business as usual."

Vision Montreal Leader Louise Harel did not reject the idea, but called on members of the audience to provide her party with a majority.

"The best will be to wait for the result next Sunday and we will discuss that after," she said.

But Union Montreal Leader Gerald Tremblay, the current mayor, said he was confident his administration would be re-elected with a majority in council.

To centralize, or not?

Harel used the debate to reiterate her promise to clean up city hall.

"2009 must be the last year that Montreal is associated with scandals," she said.

The Vision Montreal leader also described her plan to centralize services, including garbage pickup and snow removal.

Tremblay, the only candidate to address the audience in English and French, said he would provide stability to allow the city to evolve.

"I’m not saying what we’re doing is perfect, but I’m not going backwards to do a debate about structures."

Voters will have their say Sunday in the municipal election.