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Montreal says an active real-estate market helped it post a $139-million surplus in 2016, a year in which it spent a record amount – $1.16 billion – on infrastructure repairs.

As it released its financial results for last year, the city also admitted it’s still grappling with the high cost of stationing police officers on overtime at roadwork sites.

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“We are very happy with our results – they show our administration’s rigour and discipline,” Pierre Desrochers, executive committee member responsible for finance, told reporters.

Mayor Denis Coderre said the numbers show that “Montreal is on the right track. The economic recovery has taken firm hold, with rising employment (and) growing investment.”

But Valérie Plante, leader of the opposition Projet Montréal, said the results show the city has been unable to relieve the burden on property owners, with almost 70 per cent of revenue still coming from taxes.