Brownstein concedes after judicial recount in Côte Saint-Luc mayoral election

A judicial recount has upheld David Tordjman’s victory by seven votes, ending a two-week dispute over the Côte Saint-Luc mayoral race.

Former Côte Saint-Luc mayor Mitchell Brownstein has conceded after a judicial recount, completed on Monday, confirmed that former councillor David Tordjman won the election by seven votes.

The final numbers show Tordjman receiving 4,241 votes and Brownstein having 4,234, with 132 rejected ballots.

“I just appreciate the democratic process that we went through. And so have a deep sense of appreciation of what happened today,” said Tordjman

The two shook hands, hugged and thanked each other for a race well fought.

“I’m all about respect. I think Mitchell Brownstein has served the community for 35 years, and I have a respect for him as a longtime friend as well,” said Tordjman. “Politically, we had different opinions, and that’s fine. I think we can still have polite discourse, disagree and still move things forward together.”

• READ MORE: This Côte Saint-Luc resident’s last-minute vote may have changed the city’s fate

Following the Nov. 2 municipal election, Brownstein had demanded a recount after numbers showed he lost by one vote to Tordjman.

Elections Quebec showed Tordjman winning with 50.01 per cent of the vote, or 4,196 ballots.

Brownstein was recorded to have 49.99 per cent of the vote, or 4,195 ballots.

• READ MORE: Incumbent Côte Saint-Luc mayor demands recount after losing by 1 vote

Voter turnout in the on-island city was recorded at 36.9 per cent.

Tordjman, the city’s former director of public works, engineering and urban planning, who was also a city councillor, said his top priorities are public safety and infrastructure.

“Security is definitely top of mind for a lot of residents. So that’s one thing I want to attack. And our infrastructure. I want to look at what we’re doing for our infrastructure,” he said. “I know what needs to be done, and I also have ideas as to how we can do things better.”

- With files from CTV News’ Stephane Giroux.