Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the former federal Liberal MP and cabinet minister, has been elected as Montreal's next mayor, marking a significant shift for the city after eight years under the same administration. In her victory speech, Martinez Ferrada expressed her gratitude, stating, “Tonight, Montreal chose courage and ambition. It’s with immense pride, humility, and emotion that I receive this mandate.”
This election is historic as it represents the first time a candidate from a diverse background has been chosen to lead Quebec's largest metropolis. Martinez Ferrada highlighted the importance of this achievement for all children in Montreal, emphasizing that every child, regardless of their language or history, can feel at home in the city.
Martinez Ferrada’s win comes nearly seven months after she assumed leadership of Ensemble Montréal. In the election, she faced off against candidates with extensive municipal experience, notably Luc Rabouin of Projet Montréal and Craig Sauvé of Transition Montréal. Following his defeat, Rabouin expressed his congratulations to Martinez Ferrada, acknowledging her victory as historic for the Latin-American community and for Montreal immigrants, despite differing visions for the city.
At 53 years old, Martinez Ferrada succeeds Valérie Plante, the city's first female mayor, who opted not to seek a third term citing the demands of public service. During her speech, Martinez Ferrada took a moment to acknowledge Plante's contributions to the city and the barriers she overcame for women in leadership roles.
As she prepares to take office, Martinez Ferrada faces several challenges, including housing issues, affordability, and homelessness. Her campaign included promises to introduce a new affordable housing bylaw, support homeowners facing flooding, foster downtown business growth, combat homelessness through funding and investments in shelters, maintain public cleanliness, manage construction sites effectively, and improve urban mobility by reevaluating bike paths and metro safety.
Quebec Premier François Legault congratulated Martinez Ferrada via social media, recognizing Montreal's role as a vital economic engine and the significant issues that need addressing in the realms of economy, housing, and transportation. He expressed eagerness to collaborate for the city's prosperity.
Martinez Ferrada's electoral journey began in 2019 when she was elected MP for Hochelaga, a district that had not been Liberal for three decades. This led to her career at the federal level, where she served in various roles, including parliamentary secretary positions in immigration, transport, and housing. Most recently, she was the minister of tourism before her return to municipal politics.
Her political engagement started in the late 1980s after her family fled from Chile as political refugees. She initially entered local politics in 2005 as a city council member for Saint-Michel and, after a brief hiatus, returned as a chief of staff within the Canadian heritage minister’s office. Her experiences have shaped her commitment to public service and reform in Montreal.
Martinez Ferrada successfully positioned her candidacy as one of change, redirecting voters away from Rabouin, whom she portrayed as a continuation of the past administration. Her criticism of Projet Montréal focused on failings in addressing housing challenges and inadequacies in managing city services.
This election victory paves the way for a new chapter in Montreal's governance, as Ensemble Montréal returns to city hall after an extended period of opposition. Martinez Ferrada's commitment to tackling pressing issues epitomizes her vision for a more equitable and sustainable city.
