Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada has unveiled a new executive committee for the city, marking a significant step towards collaborative governance by incorporating members from all political parties represented at city hall. The announcement was made during a formal ceremony on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
A Committee Built on Inclusion and Parity
Mayor Martinez Ferrada emphasized that the newly formed committee is not only gender-balanced but also adopts a non-partisan spirit through the inclusion of opposition councillors. "Montrealers have high expectations," the mayor stated, addressing the new members. "We need to maximize every dollar and make every decision in their best interest." This move, she told reporters afterward, is intended to signal a new era of cooperation necessary for effective city management.
Key Appointments and Responsibilities
The executive committee is composed of 14 full members, including the mayor, and seven associate councillors. A key appointment is Claude Pinard, the former president of Centraide, who was confirmed as the committee's chair. Elected as a city councillor for the downtown Ville-Marie district, Pinard will also spearhead the city's efforts on the homelessness file.
Other prominent roles were assigned to experienced figures:
- Aref Salem, former leader of Ensemble Montréal, is now committee vice-chair and chairperson of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).
- Christine Black, the mayor of Montreal North, serves as the other vice-chair.
- Dimitrios Beis (Pierrefonds-Roxboro) will manage security and prevention.
- Alan DeSousa (St-Laurent) takes on mobility and infrastructure.
- Caroline Braun (Outremont) will be in charge of housing and development.
Opposition Members Gain Key Roles
Highlighting the cross-party collaboration, Mayor Martinez Ferrada appointed several members from opposition parties to significant positions. Luis Miranda, the mayor of Anjou from Équipe Anjou, was named the member responsible for cleanliness and services to citizens.
Furthermore, two opposition mayors were tasked with leading a new "mayors' table" aimed at improving city services:
- Nancy Blanchet (LaSalle, Équipe LaSalle)
- Jean-François Lalonde (Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, Projet Montréal)
Homelessness Declared a Top Priority
By assigning the homelessness portfolio to the committee chair, Claude Pinard, the administration aims to underscore the critical importance of this issue. Mayor Martinez Ferrada explained, "I wanted to show Montrealers that we mean what we say... If you want this to be the biggest priority of our administration, it has to be carried out by the most important person in the executive committee."
Pinard will be supported by city councillor Benoit Langevin, who now handles the cohabitation file. During the ceremony, Pinard committed to a consultative and humane approach, stating, "This is a major challenge that requires a co-ordinated, continuous and, above all, humane approach. No one should need to live in the street."
This new executive structure sets the stage for a more unified and focused approach to tackling Montreal's most pressing challenges, with a clear emphasis on direct action and inter-party collaboration.
