Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante will not seek re-election in 2025

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante will not be running in the next municipal election.

Plante told reporters at city hall Wednesday she was not seeking re-election for a third term because she could not envision dedicating four more years with the same level of energy as in her previous mandates. She specified it was not for health reasons.

“As the first female mayor in the history of Montreal, it’s a great privilege to lead a city like Montreal,” Plante said. “And as I often tell my children, privilege comes with responsibility and sacrifice.

“I’ve decided to say this today because I’ve always been frank with Montrealers, and it’s a pact I want to continue to honour.”

She called her decision not to seek re-election “heartbreaking” because of how much she loves her job.

The 50-year-old also said she was making the announcement now to give her party Projet Montréal, for which she has served as leader since December 2016, enough time to adapt.

“A leadership race will be launched in the coming months,” Plante said. “With my experience, I will be there to facilitate the transition.”

Municipal elections are scheduled for Nov. 2, 2025, in Montreal and across the province.

‘I won’t be slowing down’

The mayor guaranteed she would fulfill her current mandate “until the end.”

“In the next year, I won’t be slowing down,” said Plante, who listed projects she wants to achieve until she steps down. “In fact, it will be quite the opposite. Just watch me.

Plante says Projet Montréal is much more than a one-person party.

“It existed before me and it will continue to evolve. In fact, that’s why Montrealers chose us twice,” she said.

“We’ve laid the foundations, but there’s still a lot of work to be done to meet the expectations of Montrealers, and then to take on all the challenges that lie ahead.”

Plante was first elected mayor of Montreal in 2017 — becoming the city’s first elected woman mayor — before being re-elected in 2021, with both victories coming against Denis Coderre.

Plante, who was first elected to city council in 2013, said it was never her intention to pursue politics as a career choice, but living in Montreal made her want to improve the city. Originally from Rouyn-Noranda, Que., Plante moved to Montreal at 19, where she earned university degrees in anthropology and museology.

“My world for the past 30 years has been Montreal,” she said. “This is where I studied and this is where my husband and I chose to raise our children. It was living and moving around the city that made me want to make it greener and offer more safe means of transportation for everyone.

“That’s why, ever since I took office at city hall, every decision I make must first and foremost serve Montrealers.”

Plante and her party are recognized for their many projects involving greening the city, transforming major arteries to be more accommodating to cycling, and closing streets to cars to make vibrant, pedestrian zones in several districts.

Quebec City’s mayor referenced Plante’s decision in an X post that included a photo of both mayors.

“Valérie’s commitment is sincere,” Mayor Bruno Marchand wrote. “She has initiated great changes and made all of Quebec shine. Every time our cities shine, our entire nation shines too. Thank you for everything @Val_Plante. Sharing your journey has been a real privilege.”

“I thank Valérie Plante for her commitment to the metropolis since her election, despite our many disagreements on the management of construction sites, homelessness, public safety and the state of services to citizens,” said Opposition Leader Aref Salem. “As the municipal elections of November 2025 approach, Ensemble Montréal is mobilized and ready to overcome the many challenges facing the metropolis.”

CityNews spoke to some Montrealers to find out how they felt about Plante’s announcement.

“I hope that somebody who is at least as strong as she is does run because we have a lot further to go,” said Greg Mikkelson.

“It’s going to be good for someone else to come in,” said Annie Lefebvre. “I think a lot of Montrealers are upset with the situation with the bicycle paths and all that.”

“As a woman, a role model for this type of role,” added Carolina Lerena. “So, yeah, so let’s wait and see. Hopefully we can have more women in politics in the future.”

“I’ll be curious to see who’s next and who’s going to replace there,” Kevin Leblanc said.

–With files from Alyssia Rubertucci and The Canadian Press