Soraya Martinez Ferrada, a member of Ensemble Montréal, is set to become the next mayor of Montreal, as predicted by CBC News. Martinez Ferrada, who has Chilean roots, has made history by being the first person of color to hold the position of mayor in Montreal.
After securing victory on Sunday evening, she emphasized her campaign slogan “Listen and Act,” highlighting the critique of Projet Montréal for its perceived lack of engagement with the city’s residents. Speaking at the TOHU, an arts venue in Montreal’s east end where she previously worked, she assured the audience, “We will be an administration that listens to your concerns, takes action, and collaborates with you to enhance Montreal.”
Acknowledging her predecessor, Valérie Plante, for breaking barriers as the first female mayor, Martinez Ferrada expressed gratitude for the election of a racialized woman, emphasizing the shared vision for a more inclusive and prosperous city.
Luc Rabouin, Martinez Ferrada’s opponent, announced his resignation as the leader of Projet Montréal following the election results.
Martinez Ferrada, a former Member of Parliament, arrived in Montreal as a political refugee in 1980, escaping the regime of Augusto Pinochet at a young age. After resigning from the Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau in February, she launched her mayoral campaign with Ensemble Montréal, citing her deep-rooted commitment to serving the city that provided her refuge and political foundation.
During her campaign, Martinez Ferrada emphasized key priorities such as improving housing accessibility and eradicating homelessness within her first term. The voter turnout for the election was reported at 36.7%, a slight decrease from the previous election.
Despite a positive tone in her victory speech, Martinez Ferrada faced controversies during her mayoral bid, including issues related to a security deposit and social media posts by party members. She addressed these matters and took necessary actions to address them.
The victory of Martinez Ferrada marks a shift in leadership desired by Montrealers seeking change from the incumbent administration. In his concession speech, Luc Rabouin of Projet Montréal accepted defeat and expressed his commitment to continue advocating for a fairer and greener city.
Valérie Plante, though absent from the election night event, extended congratulations to Martinez Ferrada and pledged cooperation for a smooth transition of power. Plante commended Rabouin for his leadership and the campaign run by her political party.