First leadership debate for Projet Montréal, homelessness and housing as key concerns
Posted February 6, 2025 10:44 pm.
Last Updated February 6, 2025 11:22 pm.
On Thursday night, Projet Montreal party members came together for their first leadership debate with five candidates.
This comes after Mayor Valérie Plante announced in October that she would not seek re-election. The candidates shared their visions for Montreal and discussed key issues in Ville-Marie borough, from housing affordability to public safety.
Those in the running are: city councillor, Ericka Alneus; former president of Projet Montréal, Guedwig Bernier; borough mayor of Côte-des-Neiges–NDG, Gracia Kasoki Katahwa; borough mayor of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, Laurence Lavigne Lalonde; and Plateau-Mont-Royal borough mayor, Luc Rabouin.
Almost 200 party members gathered at the Saint-Pierre Centre to hear about their top concerns: affordable housing, public safety, strategic development, governance, mobility and safe transportation—a top priority for Gaetan Auger, a Ville-Marie resident.
“It’s really a concern. A lot of apartments and condos have been built in recent years, and it’s not safe for pedestrians,” said Auger.
Three candidates agreed that modular housing is a common solution to tackle homelessness and affordable housing.
Bernier expressed his intention to support co-op buildings, a view that Laurence shares, suggesting a tax cap for them. Laurence also proposed offering tax breaks for new real estate developments, a suggestion that Rabouin supports.
Rabouin further proposed creating a 100 million dollar guarantee fund to stimulate real estate projects.
As for Alenus, she advocates for an intervention plan for the camps, developed by and in collaboration with organizations dedicated to addressing homelessness.
In addition, Katahwa suggested creating a Montreal TAL to better control rent prices, ensuring greater affordability for residents.
The campaign will conclude on March 15, when Projet Montreal party members vote to elect their new leader.
That person will go on to become a mayoral candidate for the November 2 municipal elections.
