Municipal Elections
WHEN? OCTOBER 24th 2025
You might think that Municipal elections simply mean choosing a mayor. The reality is a bit more complex. Every 4 years, we vote for a new mayor of Montreal. We also vote for borough mayors and borough councilors. Montreal has 19 boroughs. We have a central city council made up of 65 seats, and 35 borough councilors. Eight candidates are running for mayor (Elections Montreal, 2025).
Why vote?
Most of us have a complaint or two (or three) about what Montreal has become and what it is becoming. From safety, homelessness, to bike lanes- what can we do? It can be easy to get caught up and forget that Montrealers each have a voice. Voting means using your voice to elect people who see, hear, and represent the people. As out of reach politics may seem, one vote can change everything. Young people are voting less and less, meaning that their values and views are not being represented in government. To spike your curiosity, the 3 leading candidates are presented in this article.
Powers of Municipal government (Legis Quebec, 2025):
- culture, recreation, community activities and parks
- local economic development
- power development and community telecommunications systems
- the environment
- sanitation
- nuisances
- safety
- transportation
- housing
Projet Montreal (15%)
Luc Rabouin
Promises on their website:
- “Create off-market housing so that every family has a decent and affordable place to live.
- Develop an efficient public transportation network with high-performance buses that serve all neighborhoods.
- Support a strong local economy that creates jobs and opportunities for Montrealers.
- Pursue ecological transition through concrete actions, not slogans.
- Build an inclusive city where every citizen can thrive.
- Ensure rigorous management of public finances and construction projects that respect citizens.” (Projet Montreal, 2025)
Projet Montreal has been in power for the last 2 terms. Having written a book called “Démocratiser la ville”, Luc Rabouin initially ran for mayor of Mont-Royal with ecological development in mind. Now, he is running as Mayor of Montreal to tackle homelessness.
Ensemble Montreal (18%)
Soraya Martinez
Promises on their website:
- “Tackling the housing crisis
- Promoting safe and efficient transportation
- Improving cleanliness
- Strengthening public safety
- Reducing homelessness
- Managing the City with rigor and efficiency” (Ensemble Montreal, 2025)
Ensemble Montreal has a detailed list of plan for action for each of the 19 boroughs. Each individual borough is kept in mind with their own respective demands.
Transition Montreal (7%)
Craig Sauve
Promises on their website:
- ”Divesting from genocide
- Ambitious mass transit
- Ambitious municipal electoral reform
- Public safety centered on dignity
- A safe environment around schools
- A safe environment around schools
- A protected nightlife
- A public and community food market
- Social pricing for public transit
- A taskforce for simple public works: Infra-Montreal
- A tax on the ultra wealthy”(Transition Montreal, 2025)
What differentiates this party is their public support of Palestinian liberation. They aim to stop investments which support Israel. In addition, they believe in supporting the community and that wealth redistribution is needed to maintain economic equality.
To conclude, it is important to vote. In that case, you should! If you are a student and are 18 years or older, you have till October 16, 2025 at 6pm to get your name on the electoral list. You can visit Montréal student vote – Élections Montréal for more details.
Work Cited:
“Engagements – Ensemble Montréal.” Ensemble Montréal , 2025, ensemblemtl.org/en/our-commitments.
“41% of Montrealers unsure who to elect mayor in municipal election: poll” City New Everywhere, 2025, https://montreal.citynews.ca/2025/09/08/montrealers-unsure-elect-mayor-municipal- election-poll
“Municipal Elections of the City of Montreal” Elections Montreal, 2025, https://elections.montreal.ca/en
“Municipal Powers Act” Legis Quebec – Publication Quebec, 2025, https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/document/cs/C-47.1?&target=#:~:text=Under%20this%20Act%2C%20municipalities%20are,a%20literal%20or%20restrictive%20manner.
“Projet Montréal – Nos Priorités.” Projet Montréal, 2025, projetmontreal.org/page/priorites.
“Transition Montréal – Our Vision.” Transition Montréal, 2025, www.transitionmtl.org.
