Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante sends message against cynicism as she meets successor

By Canadian Press on November 5, 2025.

MONTREAL — Outgoing Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has met her successor at city hall in a gesture she hopes will help combat cynicism in politics.

After meeting today with mayor-elect Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the outgoing mayor spoke with media for a final time before she steps away from the role she has held since 2017.

Martinez Ferrada defeated Luc Rabouin — Plante’s successor as the head of the Projet Montréal party — on her way to a convincing victory in Sunday’s mayoral race.

Plante says she wanted to make a public gesture of support for the incoming team at a time of growing polarization in politics.

The outgoing mayor said the two discussed major housing projects, a subway line extension and the fight against homelessness.

Martinez Ferrada thanked Plante for breaking a glass ceiling when she was elected as the city’s first female mayor eight years ago.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2025.

Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press