Soraya Martinez Ferrada Commits to Investing in Families in Neighborhoods Neglected by Projet Montréal
Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Leader of Ensemble Montréal and candidate for mayor of the metropolis, made several announcements in neighborhoods neglected by Projet Montréal, pledging to invest in services for youth and families.
Mrs. Martinez Ferrada visited the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga–Maisonneuve, where she announced a $7 million investment to expand the Hochelaga Community Centre by 5,000 square feet, renovate the Pierre-Lorange Pool, and expand the Hochelaga Library so the centre can offer more sports, cultural, and community activities.
She also committed to expanding and renovating the Langelier Library. Finally, the party pledged to begin the process of building a new sports and community centre in Tétreaultville.
Commitments in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
On Monday, Ms. Martinez Ferrada also stopped in front of the Doug Harvey Arena to announce a major reinvestment in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough.
An Ensemble Montréal administration would build a multisport centre in the Darlington district and launch the renovation of the Doug Harvey Arena. A total of $50 million over 10 years, including $21.8 million in a first mandate, would be allocated to these projects.
The borough currently has only three sports centres, all operating at full capacity. These new facilities are therefore essential to meet the needs of residents in Montréal’s most populated borough.
Reminder on Housing
Earlier in the day, Mrs. Martinez Ferrada visited 7235 Saint-Urbain Street, a vacant building acquired by the City in 2019, located in the borough of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension (VSMPE).
Alongside Sylvain Gariépy, Ensemble Montréal’s housing spokesperson and candidate for borough mayor of VSMPE, she reiterated her key housing commitments.
In its first mandate, Ensemble Montréal will implement a series of measures to speed up housing construction.
The current By-law for a Mixed Metropolis (the “20-20-20” rule) would be replaced by financial incentives and partnerships with real estate actors and nonprofits. The party would also use incentive zoning to encourage affordable housing construction and establish a 90-day permit approval standard, supported by AI tools to simplify the application process.
Ensemble Montréal also plans to leverage the city’s real estate equity to quickly develop vacant lots and buildings, notably through 70-year emphyteutic leases, property tax credits for affordable and social housing projects, and the creation of an Affordability Fund to build and acquire non-market housing, among other measures.
Citations:
“It’s important that our youth, our families, and all Montrealers have spaces where they can thrive. Sports infrastructure helps create winning living conditions for everyone — places where people can learn, come together, and grow. To make it happen, we must absolutely vote for change on November 2.”
— Soraya Martinez Ferrada,candidate for Mayor of Montreal and Leader of Ensemble Montréal
“The NDG community has been asking for a sports centre for a long time. The current facilities are over capacity and no longer meet the needs of residents. I’m proud that we can finally offer them spaces that reflect their needs.”
— Stephanie Valenzuela, candidate for borough mayor of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
“Residents of Mercier–Hochelaga–Maisonneuve have been taken for granted by the outgoing municipal administration. It’s time to invest so they can access quality sports, cultural, and community facilities.”
— Chantal Gagnon, candidate for borough mayor of Mercier–Hochelaga–Maisonneuve
