Who will become Projet MTL's next leader?

Amidst multiple leadership races across Canadian politics, Montreal's ruling municipal party, Projet MTL, is on the precipice of choosing its next leader. Five candidates believe they are fit to replace Valerie Plante, the party's leader since 2016. Who are they? What are they promising? What could the next era of municipal politics look like in Montreal? Host Kalden Dhatsenpa chats with Dru Oja Jay, publisher at the Breach and CUTV executive director, about this race and the broader municipal context the leader will be entering. 

Since Mayor and Projet MTL leader Valerie Plante announced last October that she would not be seeking reelection at the next city elections, a race within the progressive municipal party started. Five candidates have come forward. Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, the current mayor of Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Ericka Alneus, city councillor for the Etienne-Desmarteau district in Rosemont–La-Petite-Patrie, Guedwig Bernier, the former Projet party president, Laurence Lavigne Lalonde, borough mayor of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, and Luc Rabouin, borough mayor of Le Plateau–Mont-Royal.

Luc Rabouin is the assumed frontrunner, having been closest to the Plante administration. His borough, the plateau, is the heart of Projet's base. Though members I spoke to expect a two-way or even three-way race between Rabouin, Lavigne Lalonde, and Kasoki Katahwa. 

Despite the competition, there is much overlap between leadership candidates. For example, all agree on implementing a congestion tax and a surcharge for drivers entering the city during peak hours. This policy has seen relative success in New York City. Since the fee was established, traffic has been down 8%, noise pollution has been reduced, and public transit ridership has increased. 

At the leadership debate held in late february, all candidates reiterated the role of municipal politics in defending against the rising tide of right-wing extremism. The slight differences in policy show that no matter who wins, there will be some continuity with Plante's tenure as mayor. The question is, will the new leader stand up to the opposition, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, and Ensemble Montreal?

The Projet leadership election will conclude on March 15, 2025.