Newly elected Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada confronted the city's most pressing challenges during her administration's inaugural executive committee meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2025, emphasizing the enormous tasks ahead while calling for unity and action.
Urgent Urban Challenges Take Center Stage
During her closing address, Mayor Martinez Ferrada identified several critical issues demanding immediate attention, describing them as "urgent and pressing" matters that will define her administration's early days. The homelessness crisis emerged as a top priority, alongside security concerns, urban cleanliness, and continuing the city's ecological transition initiatives.
"The expectations placed on us are very high, and the challenges are enormous," Martinez Ferrada told committee members. "We need to tackle all of these issues."
Diverse Leadership Team Takes Shape
The meeting marked the official debut of Montreal's newly formed executive committee, which Martinez Ferrada had announced two days earlier. Demonstrating her commitment to inclusive governance, the mayor deliberately appointed elected officials from each political party represented at city hall.
The 14-member committee, equivalent to a provincial cabinet, includes seven associate councillors and is chaired by newly elected Ville-Marie city councillor Claude Pinard. Before addressing the day's agenda, Pinard highlighted the balanced composition of experienced councillors and newcomers who "bring a breath of fresh air, enthusiasm and new ideas."
Pinard echoed the mayor's concerns about the significant challenges ahead, specifically mentioning the need to address homelessness, improve mobility throughout the city, accelerate housing construction, better coordinate roadwork projects, and manage what he described as an "extremely tight" municipal budget.
Cross-Party Collaboration and Early Decisions
While Ensemble Montréal members constitute the majority of the committee, Martinez Ferrada's inclusive approach brought opposition voices into the fold. Anjou borough mayor Luis Miranda from Équipe Anjou will oversee cleanliness and citizen services, while two other opposition members—LaSalle borough mayor Nancy Blanchet from Équipe LaSalle and Villeray—St-Michel—Parc-Extension borough mayor Jean François Lalonde from Projet Montréal—were named associate councillors.
The committee's first substantive action involved approving a $290,000 donation to Centraide for its annual fundraising campaign, though Chair Pinard abstained from the vote due to his previous role as the organization's president before entering municipal politics.
Looking ahead, Montreal's first full city council meeting since the November 2 election is scheduled for Monday at city hall, with Montreal North city councillor Chantal Rossi presiding over the gathering of newly elected borough mayors and city councillors.
Throughout the proceedings, Martinez Ferrada maintained a tone of collaborative urgency, reminding committee members of their shared responsibility to serve all Montreal residents. "I'm counting on you, and Montrealers are counting on you," she emphasized, setting the stage for what promises to be a challenging yet transformative administration.
