The victory of Gracia Kasoki Katahwa at the head of Côte-des-Neiges – Notre-Dame-de-Grâce was confirmed on Wednesday, while the mayoress of Montreal criticized the organization of the last poll.
Valérie Plante was delighted with the narrow victory of Mme Katahwa, but denounced the “big barriers” that some Montrealers had to face to register on the electoral list.
Mme Katahwa, a Project Montreal candidate, has been the subject of a new recount in recent weeks, at the request of her opponent Lionel Perez.
The court ultimately determined that Mr.me Katahwa had obtained 11,964 votes, against 11,803 for Mr. Perez, according to a copy of the decision. She therefore becomes the first black woman to be elected mayor of Montreal.
“We are really very, very, very happy with this news this morning. We are ready and ready to work, ”said Mme Katahwa Wednesday morning, on the sidelines of the unveiling of the executive committee of Valérie Plante. “I couldn’t be happier. […] Can’t wait, can’t wait to start working. ”
Lionel Perez, who served as opposition leader until the election, conceded victory in a statement made on social media.
Côte-des-Neiges – Notre-Dame-de-Grâce is the most populous borough of Montreal with more than 165,000 inhabitants.
It had been led since 2017 by Sue Montgomery, elected under the banner of Projet Montreal, but excluded from the party caucus in 2020. Mr.me Montgomery was a candidate for her own succession, but was thoroughly beaten.
The victory of Lisa Christensen of Projet Montréal, city councilor for the Pointe-aux-Prairies district, in the Rivière-des-Prairies – Pointe-aux-Trembles borough, was also confirmed by a court on Wednesday. She won it by 13 votes over her opponent Vincent Girard.
Tuesday, it is the municipal councilor of the Loyola district, in Côte-des-Neiges – Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Despina Sourias, who was confirmed in her post. She was also elected under the banner of Projet Montréal.
“A brake on democracy”
Valérie Plante, however, did not keep her smile throughout the day on Wednesday.
She took advantage of her press briefing to criticize the organization behind the last ballot – Elections Montreal – and its “big procedural barriers” constituting “a brake on democracy”. Mme Plante even seemed to blame her for the low turnout (38%) in the November 7 ballot.
My negative point is that it is very much focused on Elections Montreal. I find it unacceptable that it is so difficult to go and vote at the municipal level, whereas at the provincial and federal levels, all you have to do is show proof of residence.
Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal
The procedure for registering on the electoral list for Montrealers “is of a complexity which disadvantages, which does not encourage people to vote, including young people”.
“I hope that Elections Montreal will do an introspection, will do a reflection,” she said.
The organization replied to him late Friday afternoon: “It is important to specify that registration to the electoral list is a process governed by the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities and that Elections Montreal apply the rules, ”said spokesperson Mathilde St-Vincent by email.
“We are certainly attentive to the comments received which indicate obstacles to voting and are open to take part in the discussion to improve practices within the prescribed legal framework,” she continued.