MONTREAL - Mayor Denis Coderre announced Saturday that Christine Black will be representing his party in the upcoming mayoral election in Montreal North.

Black is the director of L'Escale, a youth centre in the borough, a position she has held for 10 years.

By making the leap into politics, Black said she hopes to make an even greater difference in the community.

Her priority is to "rally the troops."

"Everyone in Montreal North needs to work together," she said. "It is the number one priority."

A byelection will be held April 24 to replace former mayor Gilles Deguire who resigned from his position on Jan. 7.

Deguire, 66, a former Montreal police officer is facing charges of sexual assault and sexual touching of a minor.

Deguire was arraigned in court Jan. 20. His next court date is set for March 23.

WATCH BELOW: Former Montreal North mayor Gilles Deguire arraigned on charges of sexual assaulting a child under the age of 16. 

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*With a file from La Presse Canadienne