One of Montreal's opposition parties has hired a well-respected backroom organizer to run its campaign during the next municipal election.

Projet Montréal has recruited Raymond Guardia, who managed the NDP's campaign in Quebec during the last federal election.

Guardia, has been credited with some of the NDP's success in the province – nicknamed the "orange wave."

He said he is impressed with Projet Montréal Leader Richard Bergeron's focus on positive messages.

"He is a politician who doesn't satisfy himself with just criticizing. He proposes. It kind of reminds me of a former federal leader who used to do that all the time," said Guardia, comparing Bergeron's leadership to the late NDP Leader Jack Layton.

Bergeron said hiring Guardia is a sign that his party will strive for success in the 2013 election.

Officials at Projet Montréal do not know who the party's main opponent will be.

So far, polls suggest that Liberal Member of Parliament Denis Coderre would be the frontrunner if he chooses to submit his candidacy for mayoralty under the Union Montreal banner.

"Having somebody say 'I want to run something and I can't run the Liberal party, so I'll do Montreal...' I don't think Montreal is a consolation prize," said Guardia.

Coderre is expected to announce his decision next month.