While she had just been sworn in as mayor of Montreal for a second term, Thursday evening at the Palais des congrès de Montreal, Valérie Plante promised to work “for the people, but especially with them”.
“Together we will do great things,” she said, smiling.
“A lot of work awaits us in this mandate, to build a greener and more innovative Montreal. ”
Mme Plante reiterated its priorities: affordable housing, lively and safe neighborhoods, efficient means of transportation and a new boost for eastern Montreal.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, in front of an audience of 250 guests.
The elected officials entered the room passing in front of the Guard of Honor made up of members of the Montreal Police Department and the Montreal Fire Department.
Valérie Plante was escorted by bagpipe players.
Normally, 103 newly elected should have been sworn in, but only 97 attended the ceremony. Six elected officials, district mayors or city councilors, could not be sworn in because recounts were requested following the November 7 election.
Ka’nahsohon Kevin Deer, Faith Keeper at Mohawk Trail Longhouse, opened the ceremony.
Then, the City of Montreal clerk, Mr.e Emmanuel Tani-Moore, proceeded to the proclamation and the swearing in of elected municipal officials, appointed one by one, before taking the oath all in unison.
Valérie Plante then signed the official oath-taking documents as well as the City of Montreal’s guestbook, surrounded by her two sons and her spouse, Pierre-Antoine Harvey.
The ceremony ended with four songs performed by an all-female group called The Pink Line.
More women elected in Montreal
According to a portrait identified by Elections Montreal, 61 women (59.2%) and 42 men (40.8%) could occupy one or other of the 103 elective positions of the City of Montreal.
The portrait is based on the official results counting the six people who obtained the majority of the votes cast, but whose election is the subject of a request for a recount, said Elections Montreal.
At the last meeting on September 27, the city council was made up of 29 women and 34 men and two vacant positions for a total of 65 seats.
Elections Montreal also highlights a better representation of young people, while 41 new faces are entering the municipal political scene in Montreal, including several young people under the age of 35.
17 candidates aged 35 and under were elected, ie 13 women and 4 men.
With The Canadian Press