Soraya Martinez Ferrada
A political refugee who arrived in Montréal in the late 1980s, Soraya Martinez Ferrada grew up and built her career in the city. With experience in the community and cultural sectors, as a municipal councillor for Saint-Michel, and later as a federal MP and minister, she is dedicated to creating an administration that is truly connected to Montréal’s realities. She is now leader of Ensemble Montréal and aspires to become the city’s next mayor in 2025.
Soraya Martinez Ferrada embodies the courage, experience, and determination needed to make Montréal a city for all its residents. With a career that blends grassroots engagement, municipal leadership, and federal governance, she brings a deep understanding of the city’s challenges. Her ability to listen and her unwavering commitment to public service will allow her to build a government that truly reflects the needs of Montréal’s people.
Soraya’s journey began when she arrived in Montréal with her family in the 1980s after fleeing the Chilean dictatorship. As a young immigrant, she studied in a welcoming class while her mother learned French at an immigrant orientation and training center. Together, they built a new life in Montréal. It was here that Soraya chose to raise her two children and pursue studies at HEC Montréal.
While balancing school and motherhood, she relied on food banks to pay rent and support her family. This experience gave her firsthand insight into the importance of strong social services and deepened her commitment to social justice.
Soraya’s political career began in 2005 when she was elected as a municipal councillor for Saint-Michel. From the outset, she demonstrated a strong ability to lead major projects, playing a key role in transforming the Miron Quarry into Frédéric-Back Park, a landmark sustainable development project. She oversaw the long-awaited burial of electrical wires along Jarry Street—an initiative delayed for 40 years. She also helped organize the Sommet de la culture, which led to the creation of the Quartier des spectacles, reinforcing Montréal’s reputation as Canada’s cultural capital. Soraya then served as Chief of Staff for Louise Harel in the Official Opposition, which, during this period, denounced the disparities in services between boroughs and exposed collusion in Montreal, particularly in snow removal and paving contracts. The opposition repeatedly called for a public inquiry at every City Council session until the establishment of the Carbonneau Commission.
A woman of action, Soraya stepped away from partisan politics to focus on community and environmental development, notably working at TOHU, a unique project combining circus arts, social engagement, and ecology. She later returned to politics as a senior advisor and chief of staff in the Minister of Canadian Heritage’s office.
Elected as MP for Hochelaga in 2019—a district that had not been Liberal for 30 years—Soraya quickly distinguished herself through tangible accomplishments:
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Fighting food insecurity by supporting initiatives like refrigerated truck sharing for food security organizations and securing financial aid for Chic Resto Pop and Hochelaga’s first vertical urban farm.
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Bringing together multiple levels of government and private enterprises to create the Viauville Linear Park, improving residents’ quality of life.
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Supporting housing projects in Hochelaga and eastern Montréal.
Over the years, she has served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, the Minister of Transport, and the Minister of Housing, gaining invaluable experience in critical issues impacting Québec and Montréal. -
In 2023, Soraya was appointed Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Canada Economic Development Agency for the Regions of Québec (DEC), reinforcing her commitment to Montréal and Québec’s economic growth.
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She spearheaded the first-ever Eastern Montréal Summit in November 2023, bringing together over 700 participants to develop concrete actions for revitalizing the region.
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She launched DEC’s first social economy program to support cooperative initiatives, along with an innovation program for Eastern Montréal.
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She fought for funding to sustain Montréal’s cultural sector, ensuring smaller festivals could access federal grants.
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She expanded Indigenous tourism offerings across Québec and Canada, strengthening Canada’s position as a top international destination.
Her extensive experience in municipal and federal politics has strengthened her skills in managing large-scale projects, negotiation, and governance—all essential qualities for leading a city like Montréal and addressing its complex socio-economic challenges.
A fighter at heart, Soraya stands with Montréal—her city, her home. She is committed to uniting its residents behind a vision of inclusivity, prosperity, and a shared pride in their city.
