Polls close across Quebec as municipal elections wrap up

Polls have closed in municipal elections held across most of Quebec’s approximately 1,100 municipalities.

In Montreal, residents have cast their ballots to select a new mayor following Valérie Plante’s decision not to seek a third term.

Recent surveys suggest Soraya Martinez Ferrada — a former federal Liberal cabinet minister and current leader of the centrist Ensemble Montréal — is the frontrunner in the race.

She has portrayed herself as the candidate of change and giving herself four years to solve the problem of homeless encampments. She has also said she wants to conduct an audit of bike paths and ramp up police presence on the Metro and in neighbourhoods.

Luc Rabouin, who leads Projet Montréal and currently serves as mayor of one of the city’s 19 boroughs, is also vying for the position.

He has said he aims to make Montreal the continent’s most affordable metropolis by encouraging the creation of non-market housing through new bylaws and other policy tools. He says he intends to build on Plante’s legacy by making the city even greener and more welcoming to cyclists and pedestrians.

Municipal councillor from Montreal’s Sud Ouest borough and former federal NDP candidate Craig Sauvé, leader of new party Transition Montréal, has said he aims to invest heavily in affordable housing, the fight against homelessness, road safety, and the greening of all neighborhoods.

Sauvé has challenged Projet Montréal with a series of bold progressive measures, including increasing property taxes on the wealthiest homeowners to fund additional services for the homeless.

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Throughout the campaign, housing affordability and homelessness have stood out as key issues.

In Quebec City, incumbent mayor Bruno Marchand is pursuing a second term after first being elected in 2021. His challengers include Sam Hamad, a former provincial Liberal minister, and Stéphane Lachance, an entrepreneur.

Across the province, more than half of municipal candidates faced no opposition this year. Over 4,500 candidates, including 564 mayors, were elected by acclamation.

-With files from The Canadian Press