Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada unveils executive committee

The new mayor unveiled a gender-balanced team with fresh faces and familiar councillors, prioritizing homelessness and rebuilding relations with Quebec.

Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada unveiled her executive committee on Tuesday morning.

“Our top priority is to make concrete improvements in the lives of Montrealers and enhance the quality of services offered to them,” said Martinez Ferrada. “The work ahead of us is daunting, but we will act quickly, rigorously and with determination to ensure that every decision has a rapid and real impact.”

The mayor also took a moment to point out “a historic first,” that the committee’s mayors’ table is comprised of members from “all parties,” reflecting her desire to “transcend party lines in order to deliver on citizens’ priorities.”

“I am proud of the team we have formed. Together, we will work with energy and discipline to ensure that each of our decisions reflects the priorities of Montrealers,” said Claude Pinard, chair of the executive committee. “Our combined experience, cohesion and sense of duty will drive our actions within the committee, while ensuring responsible and rigorous management of the city’s budget.”

The executive committee includes:

• Soraya Martinez Ferrada: Montreal mayor and in charge of eastern Montreal development, international and intergovernmental relations, and chair of the mayors’ table.
• Claude Pinard: chair of the executive committee and responsible for homelessness.
• Christine Black: vice-chair of the executive committee and responsible for family, seniors, youth, sports and recreation.
• Aref Salem: vice-chair of the executive committee and chair of the STM board of directors.
• Dimitrios (Jim) Beis: security and prevention.
• Caroline Braun: housing and planning.
• Alan DeSousa: mobility and infrastructure.
• Chantal Gagnon: economic development and green economy.
• Benoit Langevin: social development and coexistence.
• Luis Miranda: cleanliness and citizen services.
• Andréanne Moreau: culture, heritage, design and the French language.
• Gabrielle Rousseau-Bélanger: environment, ecological transition and green spaces.
• Alexandre Teodoresco: optimization, municipal performance and innovation.
• Stephanie Valenzuela: international outreach.

Additionally, associate councillors have been named to participate in the work of the executive committee:

• Nancy Blanchet: mayors’ table.
• Josué Corvil: cultural services, diversity and inclusion.
• Youssef Hariri: sustainable development and the green economy.
• Jean-François Lalonde: mayors’ table.
• Vana Nazarian: economic development.
• Leslie Roberts: universities and higher education, the downtown core and the English-speaking community.
• Maude Théroux-Séguin: citizen participation, gastronomy and nightlife.

The committee’s first meeting is set to take place on Nov. 20.