Mayor Valérie Plante, who this year was the target of attacks from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, is worried about the hardening of the political tone. She underlines the responsibility of elected officials to “rise above the squabbles”.
It worries me when I see politicians who play this game, to add, to polarize, to add fuel to the fire, to come up with formulas that are often a little hollow or to come up with insults.
explains Valérie Plante in an interview with Behind the scenes of power.
Last spring, in a publication onincompetent
.
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For me, this touches on the question of democracy. We are lucky here in Canada to be able to express ourselves, but for me, a healthy democracy does not mean accepting being insulted.
says Valérie Plante.
Mr. Poilievre insulting me, honestly, that doesn’t impress me. It’s easy to insult […]but what about the real thing? What does this man have to offer that is real? We don’t know yet.
According to the mayor, the virulent remarks addressed to elected officials fuel the trivialization of verbal violence on the part of the public.
The interview conducted by Daniel Thibault will be presented on the show « The corridors of power »broadcast Sunday from 11 h to noon on RDI and on ICI TV.
High pressure, heavy responsibilities
During the interview, the mayor of Montreal – who will leave the Montreal political scene in November 2025 – discusses the reasons for her departure. This fall, however, she affirmed that she would be a candidate for re-election.
Although she says she still loves her work, she concedes that it comes with high pressure
.
When I do something, I want to do it thoroughly, I want to do it completely
explains the mayor. She adds that she did not feel that she still had enough energy and motivation to face the waves
and the vent
for four more years.
Ms. Plante admits that this role tested her patience but that after two mandates, she much improved
.
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The mayor of Montreal will leave municipal politics in a little less than a year, after the end of her second mandate.
Photo : - / David Richard
Valérie Plante proudly defends her vision of the Quebec metropolis. What I decided to do by becoming mayor is to be the mayor first and foremost of Montrealers who live in the city, who experience it
she adds. I was very clear about my electoral program, my vision, I never deviated from it, then I was chosen twice rather than once.
After two mandates, Ms. Plante decided it was time to move the ball
. Members of his party, Projet Montréal, will choose the person who will succeed him in March 2025. For me, power is not something you keep: you have to share it and then, after that, pass it on to another person, to another team.
It underlines the need for the municipal sector to always adapt to vision or ideology
higher political levels, at the risk of slow down certain projects
. However, she forcefully rejects the idea that cities are creatures of the provinces
a term she finds insulting
.
We should be considered worthy of what we contribute to, because “creatures” dates back to the time when we took care of trash and snow. […] Today, we manage social issues.
And the weight of municipal responsibilities weighs heavily on the shoulders of elected officials, sometimes powerless
who find themselves on the front line of citizens’ frustrations. On this level, Valérie Plante deplores a lack of room for maneuver, fiscal tools or additional sources of income to meet the needs of citizens.
And what’s next?
The mayor playfully asserts that she will step on the accelerator on several issues between now and the end of her mandate, particularly in matters of greening, security and housing.
With a smile and letting out that laughter that we know from her, Valérie Plante lets a certain mystery hang over her future after two mandates in municipal politics.
I have a head full of projects, and then it’s not just politics: there are so many other ways to change the world!
