Gilles Duceppe had an unexpected encounter today while shaking hands at a walk to raise money to fight AIDS in Montreal.

Tim Duboyce

At one point while each was working the crowd, Tremblay and Duceppe nearly bumped into each other. The two started chatting, and it soon became apparent they have known each other for a long time.

They were overheard discussing, among other things, the days when they played football against each other while attending junior college.

Duceppe reminisced about a fellow player they both knew.

"He played for the Rosemont Bombers who won the Canadian championship in 1960 against Saskatoon 20-19," Duceppe recalled, chuckling.

As TV crews began gravitating towards the chance meeting, the topic of discussion shifted to policy.

Tremblay enthusiastically commended Duceppe's positions supporting more predictable federal funding for cities, and a national transportation strategy.

Without fully endorsing the Bloc, Tremblay said, "Gilles Duceppe agrees that our city is our future. Cities are becoming more and more important for the economic, social, and cultural development of Quebec, but also of Canada. And, Gilles Duceppe has always understood the important roles of cities."

A categorical endorsement from Tremblay would have been surprising.

Montreal's mayor is a former provincial Liberal cabinet minister — and a federalist.

— Tim Duboyce