Montreal’s current mayor, Valérie Plante, has consistently urged higher government levels to address critical city issues like homelessness and the expansion of public transportation. Recently, she also called on the federal government to allocate more funds to help cities confront climate change challenges.
With the upcoming municipal elections on Nov. 2, experts emphasize the importance of the next Montreal leader forming partnerships with other government levels and utilizing available resources. While municipalities are responsible for daily services such as water supply and road maintenance, they do not handle healthcare, education, or immigration policies.
Rebecca Bligh, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), highlighted that municipalities bear significant costs related to housing, homelessness, and public safety, despite limited funding sources like property taxes. The FCM advocates for a $2.6 billion increase in federal transfers to municipalities to address the growing demands faced by cities like Montreal.
Danielle Pilette, a municipal affairs specialist, emphasized the need for improved coordination among government levels to tackle complex issues like homelessness effectively. Alison Smith, a University of Toronto professor, underlined the importance of collaboration across government levels to address challenges and leverage local expertise.
Despite the division of powers between municipal, provincial, and federal governments, local entities like the Old Brewery Mission have successfully addressed homelessness issues. Municipalities play a vital role through zoning regulations and project facilitation, demonstrating their ability to drive positive change.
Municipal elections often see low turnout rates, underscoring the need for candidates to engage voters and emphasize the impact of their choices on crucial issues like housing and mental health challenges. Bligh stressed the significance of community involvement in municipal decision-making, highlighting that these issues affect everyone directly.
