Soraya Martinez Ferrada Elected as Montreal’s New Mayor
In a stunning turn of events for Montreal politics, Soraya Martinez Ferrada — a former federal Liberal minister — has been elected as the city’s new mayor. The vote marked a significant moment of change for Montrealers who, after eight years under the leadership of Valérie Plante and her left-leaning Projet Montréal party, seemed ready for a new direction.
By 10 p.m. on election night, projections showed Martinez Ferrada leading the race with 44 percent of the vote, ahead of Projet Montréal leader Luc Rabouin by nearly 17,000 ballots. Her centrist party, Ensemble Montréal, appeared to be taking control of the city council as well, leading in 41 out of 65 seats — a clear signal that voters wanted something different this time.
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Martinez Ferrada’s campaign resonated with many residents frustrated over issues like housing affordability, homelessness, and transportation. She has promised bold action, pledging to triple the city’s homelessness budget and work to end the tent encampments that have become a visible symbol of the city’s struggles. However, she emphasized that people living in those encampments would not be forced out until proper housing options were made available — a balanced, humane approach that seemed to appeal to many.
Another major issue on her agenda is Montreal’s controversial network of bike paths. While these have been celebrated by some as a progressive step toward greener transportation, others — particularly business owners and drivers — have expressed frustration over their impact on traffic and commerce. Martinez Ferrada has vowed to audit the entire system within her first 100 days in office, even suggesting that some lanes could be removed if they’re found to be inefficient or unnecessary.
Her platform also includes plans to reduce the size of Montreal’s bureaucracy by cutting 1,000 city jobs, while simultaneously improving public transit by increasing subway frequency. It’s a bold combination of fiscal restraint and practical service improvement that reflects her centrist, results-driven style.
For many, her personal story makes this victory even more meaningful. Martinez Ferrada arrived in Canada as a Chilean refugee at just eight years old. Over the decades, she has built a remarkable career in public service — first as a Montreal city councillor, then as a Member of Parliament, and later as a federal minister responsible for economic development in Quebec. Her rise to the city’s highest office feels like a full-circle moment — a story of resilience, ambition, and deep connection to the community she now leads.
Voter turnout this year was relatively low, with only around 27 percent of Montrealers casting their ballots by late afternoon, compared to 38 percent in 2021. Still, the message was clear: a fresh chapter has begun for Montreal. With Soraya Martinez Ferrada at the helm, residents are watching closely to see how she’ll turn her promises into action — and whether her leadership can truly deliver the change so many have been hoping for.
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