Formula E said on Monday that it was "taking legal action" after Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante canceled next year's two season-ending Canadian races, according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Plante, who was elected last month, said during her campaign that she "wanted the races to move" to Formula 1's island track, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, "or be scrapped." She said, "Montrealers have made it clear that we can't waste their money on poorly planned projects that don't serve them." The doubleheader scheduled for July 28 and 29 was due to be held on the east side of downtown Montreal but "faced local opposition after poor ticket sales this year and the burden to taxpayers." In a statement, Formula E said, "We are very surprised and disappointed by the unilateral decision and announcement of the Mayor of Montreal. This is a clear case of a new mayor undoing what the previous mayor did. Whilst there is a contract in place, we will not make further comments at this point as this is now in the hands of our Canadian legal counsel" (REUTERS, 12/18).
