Charest has said that Drapeau "didn't say a word for eight to 10 seconds on the phone when I told him," adding, "and that's something, coming from the mayor.
During his time on council, he served as a backbench supporter of Jean Doré's administration.
In 1991, Charest was one of twelve MCM councillors to align with the group Mouvement Québec, which called for a referendum on Quebec sovereignty.
[4] Charest sought to return to council in a 2006 by-election in Marie-Victorin, running as a Vision Montreal candidate.
He finished third against Carle Bernier-Genest of the Montreal Island Citizens Union (MICU).