Photo: Marie-France Coallier le Devoir In an 11-minute speech, Valérie Plante recalled that her role is to “serve Montrealers first and foremost.”
Marco Fortier
Published at 10:14 AM Updated at 1:21 PM
- Montreal
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has made the “heartbreaking decision” not to seek a third term. In an emotional press briefing Wednesday, she said she had fulfilled the wishes of “the vast majority of Montrealers.” She believes that the transition to a greener city with more mobility options “will not go backwards, no matter what.”
The first female mayor in the city’s history, who succeeded Denis Coderre in 2017, said she did not have “the same level of energy” to run in the next election in November 2025 as she had in recent years.
“But I’m doing well, very well,” added the 50-year-old, specifying that she would stay until the end of her term. The race for the leadership of his party, Projet Montréal, will be launched in the coming months.
In an 11-minute speech, Valérie Plante recalled that her role is to “serve Montrealers first and foremost. I’m talking about those who live in the city, I’m talking about those who experience the city.”
“It was with Montrealers in mind that I had the courage to make difficult and necessary decisions to make the city greener, safer and more resilient to the realities that are hitting us and those that await us,” she added.
In her seven years at City Hall, Valérie Plante emphasizes having made the city greener and offered “more safe means of transportation for everyone.”
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The mayor and her team have transformed mobility in the city, notably by developing the express bike network (REV) on several major arteries, such as Saint-Denis Street. This initiative was hailed as a strong gesture to improve mobility and revive local businesses, but its detractors deplored the loss of parking spaces and the roadworks required to build the bike paths.
Her flagship promise to improve mobility in the city has also come up against the dilapidated state of underground infrastructure: the need to replace sewers and aqueducts that had suffered from a lack of maintenance for decades has led to a proliferation of construction sites — and street closures with orange cones, which have become a symbol of Montreal’s problems.
Valérie Plante pointed out that her ideas came from Projet Montréal activists and citizens. She did not impose anything. “It is for them and thanks to them that I became mayor. They are the ones who brought Projet Montréal to power. Our movement is not an accident. Our ideas, our projects reflect the ideas and the will of the vast majority of Montrealers, who have even spawned offshoots elsewhere in Quebec,” she said.
She believes that her successors will have to continue in the same direction, because that is what Montrealers want. Elected officials must improve the active and public transportation offering to reduce the number of cars, which has exploded in the Montreal region over the past 20 years. The mayor also says she speaks on behalf of the voiceless, in this time of housing and homelessness crisis.
“This is what motivates me to strengthen this movement which will not go back, whatever happens. […] As long as there are people sleeping on the streets and as long as it takes many people stuck in traffic two hours to get to work on the island, our work will not be done,” she said.
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A Commitment Praised
The Mayor of Quebec City, Bruno Marchand, whose program seems inspired by that of Projet Montréal, praised the achievements of the mayor of the metropolis. “Valérie's commitment is sincere,” he commented on the X network.
“She initiated major changes and made all of Quebec shine. Every time our cities shine, our entire nation shines too. Thank you for everything, Valérie Plante. Sharing your journey has been a real privilege.”
“I thank Valérie Plante for her commitment to Montrealers. Going into politics means putting your personal life on hold, it's an immense dedication,” said Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer.
With Jeanne Corriveau