Quebec passes mega-city mergers

Quebec's National Assembly passed a bill early Wednesday to create mega-cities in Montreal, Longueuil, Quebec City, Levis and Hull-Gatineau.

Bill 170 will amalgamate dozens of municipalties during a one-year phase-in period. Montreal's population will almost double to about two million people.

Residents held protest after protest against the bill, which they fear will destroy their communities' distinctive characters.

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Mayors and protest groups now say they're ready to take the fight against forced mergers into the court room.

The mayor of Westmount, Peter Trent, said he wasn't surprised the Bouchard government invoked closure on debate over Bill 170.

"This whole thing started with abuse of power," Trent said. "They will continue their abuse of power, and of course by invoking closure they are honouring their autocratic approach to this whole thing."

Trent said the government has no mandate from voters to force cities and towns to merge. "If you're going to adopt a law that's so draconian, and so anti-democratic, you might as well invoke closure while you're at it."