Future Directions for Projet Montréal Party Members Reflect Post-Election Defeat
The recent municipal election in Montreal marked a significant shift for Projet Montréal, a party that has held power for eight years under Valérie Plante’s leadership. Despite its roots as a grassroots movement in the Plateau neighbourhood, the party only managed to retain control in certain dense urban areas. Key boroughs where Projet Montréal maintained seats included Le Plateau–Mont-Royal, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Villeray–Parc-Extension, and Le Sud-Ouest.
However, the party suffered notable losses in other areas, such as Ahuntsic–Cartierville and Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, highlighting voter discontent. In his concession speech, Luc Rabouin acknowledged the challenges while expressing optimism. He stated, “Thousands of Montrealers voted to build a fairer, greener city with Projet Montréal,” before announcing his resignation as party leader.
New Leadership Emerges
Soraya Martínez Ferrada of Ensemble Montréal emerged victorious, capturing 43% of the vote. She is now the city’s first Latino mayor, succeeding Plante, who had been in office since 2017. Martínez Ferrada immigrated to Montreal at the age of eight and has a background in federal politics, having served as a Member of Parliament and in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.
Voter Sentiment and Campaign Strategies
Martínez Ferrada’s campaign emphasized listening to constituents, resonating with voters frustrated by issues ranging from garbage collection changes to rising housing costs. In contrast, Rabouin’s support dwindled to 38%, a significant drop from 52% in the previous election.
- Projet Montréal maintained seats in key boroughs:
- Le Plateau–Mont-Royal
- Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
- Villeray–Parc-Extension
- Le Sud-Ouest
- Lost boroughs included:
- Ahuntsic–Cartierville
- Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
- Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
Future Directions for Projet Montréal
Cathy Wong, a Projet Montréal representative, reiterated that despite the losses, the party will continue to advocate for sustainable urban policies. She noted, “Projet Montréal got 35% of the voters, so we will continue to represent those who believe in a greener Montreal.”
The election highlighted the need for Projet Montréal to reassess its strategies. Former president Guedwig Bernier suggested learning from successful campaigns elsewhere, such as that of Longueuil’s mayor, Catherine Fournier. He emphasized the importance of a unified front, referencing Craig Sauvé, a former councillor with Projet, whose independent candidacy attracted votes away from the party.
Moving forward, Projet Montréal plans to regroup and conduct a thorough evaluation of its campaign. A spokesperson indicated that the party would temporarily pause media interactions while strategizing on its next steps. The focus will be on selecting a new leader who can effectively address the challenges ahead and reconnect with the electorate.
