Projet Montréal, the official opposition at Montreal City Hall, has formally presented its shadow cabinet, a move that solidifies its strategy for holding the governing administration accountable.
Full Team Engagement
Interim leader Ericka Alneus made the announcement on Monday, confirming a significant organizational decision: all 25 members of the party elected to the city council have been assigned a specific portfolio. This ensures comprehensive coverage of all municipal files and demonstrates a collective approach to their opposition role.
The announcement highlighted key leadership positions within the council. Marie Plourde, the city councillor for the Plateau-Mont-Royal district, has been appointed as the party's leader in council. She will be supported by downtown city councillor Christopher McCray, who takes on the role of her deputy.
Portfolio Distribution and Strategic Focus
Every borough mayor and city councillor from Projet Montréal has been entrusted with at least one area of responsibility. Alneus herself will serve as the party's primary spokesperson on several high-profile dossiers, including intergovernmental affairs, international relations, and reconciliation.
The focus on reconciliation is particularly notable, as critics have pointed out that the current Ensemble Montréal government, led by Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, did not include this specific role in its own executive committee.
In a gesture of collaboration, Mayor Martinez Ferrada named Jean-François Lalonde, the mayor of Villeray—St-Michel—Parc-Extension, as an associate member of the executive committee. Lalonde, who is a member of Projet Montréal, will co-chair a promised mayors' table designed to amplify the voices of borough leaders. Within the shadow cabinet, he is responsible for the economic development and commercial arteries portfolio.
Strengthening Municipal Democracy
This structured opposition shadow cabinet marks a new chapter for Montreal's municipal governance. By assigning specific critic roles to each of its elected officials, Projet Montréal aims to provide detailed scrutiny of the city's administration and present itself as a prepared and organized alternative government. The inclusion of all council members underscores a commitment to a team-based model of political oversight.
