Will Coderre run for Liberal leader or Montreal mayor?

Veteran Quebec Liberal MP Denis Coderre is expected to take a pass on the federal Liberal leadership in favour of a bid for the Montreal mayor's seat next year. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

After weeks of speculation, veteran Quebec Liberal MP Denis Coderre has made a choice about which direction his future political ambitions are heading, and is set to meet with reporters on Parliament Hill at 12:30 p.m. ET today to lay out his plans.

The former cabinet minister has long had less-than-secret ambitions to lead the federal Liberals. But Justin Trudeau's early front-runner status, in combination with fellow Montreal MP Marc Garneau's exploratory bid, makes the federal leadership race an already-crowded field for yet another Quebec contender.

Meanwhile, another political opportunity beckons in his hometown, as Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay faces illegal campaign financing allegations. Recent testimony at the Charbonneau commission into corruption in Quebec's construction industry has weakened the incumbent mayor's reputation, opening the door for new faces for the fall 2013 mayoralty race.

Tremblay has committed to finishing his four-year mandate, but has refused to comment on whether he will run again.

Coderre is not expected to announce a bid for the Montreal mayor's office now, but may do so as early as Nov. 9.

Coderre was first elected in 1997 and has been re-elected five consecutive times in the Montreal riding of Bourassa. He served in Jean Chrétien's cabinet in several portfolios, including amateur sport and immigration. He was not in Paul Martin's cabinet.

Coderre, who calls politics his "sport," has formidable political organizing skills. His colourful, quoteable style in both English and French has made him a media favorite.

But his political career has not been without controversy – including a personal relationship with Claude Boulay, the founder of Groupe Everest, one of the firms implicated in the sponsorship scandal.

He openly feuded with former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff over the selection of Quebec candidates and resigned as his Quebec lieutenant in 2009.

In recent months, he has been an active commentator in the Quebec media and on social media on issues beyond federal politics, perhaps paving the way for a career change.