Former federal minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada was elected Montreal mayor Sunday, November 2. The Ensemble Montréal leader defeated main opponent Luc Rabouin of Projet Montréal in the Quebec municipal elections. "Tonight, Montreal has chosen courage and ambition," Martinez Ferrada stated in her victory speech, emphasizing her desire to bring "change" to City Hall.
"If we want everyone to feel heard, we must put partisanship aside," the former Hochelaga MNA said. "From now on, we will work together, without political banners."Preliminary results gave Martinez Ferrada approximately 42 per cent of the vote compared to about 35 per cent for Rabouin.
Gilbert Thibodeau, leader of Action Montréal, finished third for Montreal mayor with a narrow lead over Craig Sauvé, leader of Transition Montréal. Martinez Ferrada's campaign promised a break with Valérie Plante's administration.
Also read: Sam Hamad loses Quebec City mayoral race to Bruno Marchand; former Liberal minister faces accusations of threats to daughter, etc. find out more on details, history & controversies of Syrian-born Quebecer
"I take responsibility for this defeat. I gave everything I had, but it wasn't enough," Rabouin said, announcing he would step down as leader of Projet Montréal.
"Even though [Soraya Martinez Ferrada] and I do not share the same vision of the city, I want to recognize that her victory today is historic for the Latin American community and for all Montrealers from minority backgrounds," he said.
"In Quebec City, there are no suburbs and a downtown separated by a trench: there is only one diverse city," Marchand said in his victory speech, reaching out to voters who did not support him.
Marchand will likely enter city council with a majority of members. He defeated mayoral candidates Sam Hamad, a former Liberal minister, and Stéphane Lachance, leader of Respect citoyens.
The tramway issue dominated the Quebec City mayoral campaign, creating division among candidates. Election results suggest Quebec City residents voted in favor of the mobility project by electing Marchand for a second term.
"If in 2021 we were talking about a wave, tonight it's more like a tsunami," Fournier said in her victory speech. "It sends a clear message of renewed confidence."
In Laval, Stéphane Boyer secured reelection, winning a three-way race focused on municipal infrastructure management.
"All over the world, [...] citizens are showing their elected officials the door and demanding change," Boyer noted in his victory speech. "But in Laval, citizens have decided to renew their confidence in our team. They understand that challenges exist, but they are proving that we are moving in the right direction."
Bibeau served as Member of Parliament for Compton-Stanstead in the Eastern Townships from 2015 to 2025 and as Minister of Agriculture in Justin Trudeau's government.
Also read: Former Liberal now “centrist” Soraya Martinez Ferrada elected Montreal mayor defeating 8 years of left-leaning mayoralty of city; read more to find out why she left the Liberals, “reviewing bike lanes, tackling homelessness” agenda?
She succeeds Évelyne Beaudin, whose term was marked by tensions at City Hall where some councillors left her party.
In Gatineau, the election was historic: for the first time in electoral history, two local political parties competed. Incumbent mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette of Action Gatineau challenged former city councillor Mario Aubé, leader of a new party bearing his name. The incumbent mayor won the race.
In Trois-Rivières, independent candidate Jean-François Aubin was elected mayor of the largest Mauricie region city after a close race with Pascale Albernhe-Lahaie, leader of new party Trois-Rivières ville forte. Outgoing mayor Jean Lamarche did not seek reelection.
In Saguenay, former CAQ minister Andrée Laforest was trailing independent candidate Luc Boivin. Other candidates included Christine Basque, Jacques Pelletier, and incumbent mayor Julie Dufour. In August, Dufour was found guilty of election fraud, accused of trying to dissuade three candidates from running against her in the 2021 mayoral election.
In Drummondville, Jean-François Houle became mayor, defeating main opponent David Bélanger by 601 votes.
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In percentage terms, 57.8 per cent of municipal council seats were filled before ballots were counted Sunday. This proportion is lower than 2021 elections, where 62.7 per cent of elected officials took office by acclamation.
Nine mayoral positions remain vacant. Pending by-election triggers, incumbent mayors will continue holding positions.
Terrebonne elected its mayor by acclamation, the largest Quebec city to do so. Mathieu Traversy, leader of Mouvement Terrebonne, will serve a second term leading the province's tenth most populous city. The party's platform promised tax adjustments considering Consumer Price Index, public square development in Old Terrebonne, and protection of wooded areas.
Also read: Senate vote on nullifying tariffs on Canada demonstrates opposition to Trump's trade policy
Voter turnout remains a major challenge for Elections Montreal and Elections Quebec. The Canada Post strike and Montreal Transit Corporation (STM) maintenance workers' strike hampered voter participation, disrupting election notice delivery and public transit on election day respectively.
"If we want everyone to feel heard, we must put partisanship aside," the former Hochelaga MNA said. "From now on, we will work together, without political banners."Preliminary results gave Martinez Ferrada approximately 42 per cent of the vote compared to about 35 per cent for Rabouin.
Gilbert Thibodeau, leader of Action Montréal, finished third for Montreal mayor with a narrow lead over Craig Sauvé, leader of Transition Montréal. Martinez Ferrada's campaign promised a break with Valérie Plante's administration.
Also read: Sam Hamad loses Quebec City mayoral race to Bruno Marchand; former Liberal minister faces accusations of threats to daughter, etc. find out more on details, history & controversies of Syrian-born Quebecer
"I take responsibility for this defeat. I gave everything I had, but it wasn't enough," Rabouin said, announcing he would step down as leader of Projet Montréal.
"Even though [Soraya Martinez Ferrada] and I do not share the same vision of the city, I want to recognize that her victory today is historic for the Latin American community and for all Montrealers from minority backgrounds," he said.
Bruno Marchand reelected Quebec City mayor with nearly 50 per cent of vote
Incumbent Quebec City mayor Bruno Marchand was reelected to lead the historic capital. With nearly 50 per cent of the vote, the Québec forte et fière (Strong and Proud Quebec) leader's victory contrasted with his close 2021 race."In Quebec City, there are no suburbs and a downtown separated by a trench: there is only one diverse city," Marchand said in his victory speech, reaching out to voters who did not support him.
Marchand will likely enter city council with a majority of members. He defeated mayoral candidates Sam Hamad, a former Liberal minister, and Stéphane Lachance, leader of Respect citoyens.
The tramway issue dominated the Quebec City mayoral campaign, creating division among candidates. Election results suggest Quebec City residents voted in favor of the mobility project by electing Marchand for a second term.
Catherine Fournier, Stéphane Boyer win reelection in Longueuil and Laval
Longueuil incumbent mayor Catherine Fournier was reelected quickly after polls closed. She faced one other candidate, Sacha Parisella, leader of Agora Longueuil, after a campaign where her party faced fragmented opposition."If in 2021 we were talking about a wave, tonight it's more like a tsunami," Fournier said in her victory speech. "It sends a clear message of renewed confidence."
In Laval, Stéphane Boyer secured reelection, winning a three-way race focused on municipal infrastructure management.
"All over the world, [...] citizens are showing their elected officials the door and demanding change," Boyer noted in his victory speech. "But in Laval, citizens have decided to renew their confidence in our team. They understand that challenges exist, but they are proving that we are moving in the right direction."
Marie-Claude Bibeau elected Sherbrooke mayor in Quebec municipal elections
Independent candidate and former Liberal minister Marie-Claude Bibeau secured victory Sunday to become Sherbrooke's new mayor. The four-way race in Quebec's sixth-largest city resulted in the election of the candidate with the highest profile.Bibeau served as Member of Parliament for Compton-Stanstead in the Eastern Townships from 2015 to 2025 and as Minister of Agriculture in Justin Trudeau's government.
Also read: Former Liberal now “centrist” Soraya Martinez Ferrada elected Montreal mayor defeating 8 years of left-leaning mayoralty of city; read more to find out why she left the Liberals, “reviewing bike lanes, tackling homelessness” agenda?
She succeeds Évelyne Beaudin, whose term was marked by tensions at City Hall where some councillors left her party.
Steven Blaney elected Lévis mayor, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette wins Gatineau
After twelve years as Lévis mayor, Gilles Lehouillier passed leadership. Voters chose Steven Blaney, a former Conservative minister in Ottawa, as their new mayor. Blaney, who represented the region federally, defeated Isabelle Demers, Lehouillier's successor as leader of Lévis Force 10, and Serge Bonin, leader of Repensons Lévis.In Gatineau, the election was historic: for the first time in electoral history, two local political parties competed. Incumbent mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette of Action Gatineau challenged former city councillor Mario Aubé, leader of a new party bearing his name. The incumbent mayor won the race.
In Trois-Rivières, independent candidate Jean-François Aubin was elected mayor of the largest Mauricie region city after a close race with Pascale Albernhe-Lahaie, leader of new party Trois-Rivières ville forte. Outgoing mayor Jean Lamarche did not seek reelection.
Additional Quebec municipal election results across province
Brossard incumbent mayor Doreen Assaad was easily reelected for a third term leading the Montreal South Shore municipality. Brossard Ensemble presented a platform promising free public transit for seniors and improved access to the Réseau express métropolitain (REM).In Saguenay, former CAQ minister Andrée Laforest was trailing independent candidate Luc Boivin. Other candidates included Christine Basque, Jacques Pelletier, and incumbent mayor Julie Dufour. In August, Dufour was found guilty of election fraud, accused of trying to dissuade three candidates from running against her in the 2021 mayoral election.
In Drummondville, Jean-François Houle became mayor, defeating main opponent David Bélanger by 601 votes.
Also read: John Tamihere caught in indigenous vs white debate; amid frenzy, Te Pāti Māori president responds to resignation calls with 1,335-word essay titled “The Anatomy of Madness”
Over half of Quebec municipal leaders elected by acclamation
More than half of Quebec's municipal leaders were elected by acclamation before election day. When the nomination period closed October 3, 564 mayors and 3,996 municipal councillors were elected without opposition, according to Ministry of Municipal Affairs data.In percentage terms, 57.8 per cent of municipal council seats were filled before ballots were counted Sunday. This proportion is lower than 2021 elections, where 62.7 per cent of elected officials took office by acclamation.
Nine mayoral positions remain vacant. Pending by-election triggers, incumbent mayors will continue holding positions.
Terrebonne elected its mayor by acclamation, the largest Quebec city to do so. Mathieu Traversy, leader of Mouvement Terrebonne, will serve a second term leading the province's tenth most populous city. The party's platform promised tax adjustments considering Consumer Price Index, public square development in Old Terrebonne, and protection of wooded areas.
Montreal voter turnout decreases in Quebec municipal elections
On advance voting day last week, 9.3 per cent of Montreal voters cast ballots. This represents a decrease compared to 2021 municipal elections, when 12.9 per cent of Montrealers voted early.Also read: Senate vote on nullifying tariffs on Canada demonstrates opposition to Trump's trade policy
Voter turnout remains a major challenge for Elections Montreal and Elections Quebec. The Canada Post strike and Montreal Transit Corporation (STM) maintenance workers' strike hampered voter participation, disrupting election notice delivery and public transit on election day respectively.
