The opposition at Montreal City Hall is looking for a candidate to face Valérie Plante in 2025. In less than a month, the party will officially launch its leadership race, and a name is already circulating.
Starting October 15, it will be possible to submit your candidacy to run for the leadership of Ensemble Montréal, the political party announced in a press release on Friday. The new leader of the party, founded under the name Équipe Denis Coderre in 2013, will be elected on February 16.
“Today, I am not in a position to disclose names,” said Ensemble Montreal president Carmine Pollice in an interview with The Press. “I will let the people themselves announce their candidacy.”
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Businessman Luc Poirier would be tempted to enter this leadership race, according to Radio-Canada.
Friday morning, the name of businessman Luc Poirier was mentioned by Radio-Canada. The real estate developer, also behind the sale of land in Northvolt, in Montérégie, is reportedly thinking about getting involved in the race.
For the moment, the president of Ensemble Montréal confirms that he has not had any discussions with Mr. Poirier, who does not live in the city.
Last June, the Legault government adopted Bill 57, which amended several legislative provisions in the municipal environment, particularly to encourage citizen engagement. Since then, it is no longer mandatory to reside in the territory of the municipality one year before the start of the election campaign, one of the two conditions formerly imposed by Élections Québec to run.
It is now sufficient to be registered on the electoral roll of the municipality, either by residing there, or by owning a building or by being the occupant of a business establishment on its territory.
To be eligible, candidates will also have to gather the support of 200 members in a minimum of 10 Montreal boroughs by obtaining their signatures, Ensemble Montréal said. They will also have to raise $15,000 in donations or party memberships.
The current opposition party in Montreal’s mayoral race is eagerly awaiting the candidates’ proposals on housing, homelessness and public safety, “challenges to which the current administration has failed to adequately respond,” it said in the press release.
The party’s past
The party was founded more than 10 years ago when former mayor Denis Coderre wanted to run for mayor again. Despite his departure, the party has remained very active and serves as the official opposition to Montreal City Hall, but electoral defeats in 2017 and 2021 against Valérie Plante have weakened it.
While Ensemble Montréal claims to have reduced its debt by more than half since 2021, it was still dragging a significant debt of $343,000 at the end of 2023. “We believe we will be able to pay off this debt by the end of [2024] “, Mr. Pollice said.
Its annual reports show 1,750 donors and 573 members recruited in 2023, results similar to those of Projet Montréal.
Aspiring leadership candidates will have until December 15 to submit their applications.