Advertisement

Valérie Plante elected first female mayor of Montreal

Click to play video: 'Valérie Plante paves way for women in politics'
Valérie Plante paves way for women in politics
WATCH: Valérie Plante made history when she was named Montreal’s first female mayor. Global's Anne Leclair reports – Nov 6, 2017

Valérie Plante has been elected the first female mayor of Montreal in the 2017 municipal elections.

“Montreal is open for business,” the mayor-elect declared to the large, cheering crowd at the Corona Theatre, in Montreal’s Sud-Ouest borough.

READ MORE: Live results across Greater Montreal

It was a tight race from the start of the evening, with Plante leading with at least 51 per cent of the vote.

READ MORE: Denis Coderre ‘quitting political life’ after losing Montreal mayoral race to Valérie Plante

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: Valérie Plante’s bid for mayor gained momentum towards end of campaign

“She ran a perfect campaign,” Global News municipal politics analyst Karim Boulos explained.

READ MORE: Your guide to voting in Montreal’s 2017 municipal election

Incumbent mayor Denis Coderre followed in a close second, looking for a second term in municipal politics after spending 16 years as a member of parliament.

The race heated up during the last week of campaigning after several polls showed the two major candidates being neck-and-neck in voter support.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH BELOW: Valérie Plante declared mayor of Montreal

Click to play video: 'Valerie Plante declared mayor of Montreal'
Valerie Plante declared mayor of Montreal

Plante, who noted her roots as a working mother, campaigned on issues including improving public transport to curb congestion and traffic, while keeping taxes down.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

That included her proposal of a new pink line on Montreal’s Metro, which would connect Montreal North to Lachine.

READ MORE: Meet Projet Montréal mayoral candidate Valérie Plante

“I do politics because I care — ultimately what I want for my kids is what I  want for Montrealers,” she told Global News during the campaign.

WATCH BELOW: Valérie Plante says it’s a “huge privilege” to become the first female mayor

Click to play video: '‘Huge privilege’ to be Montreal’s first female mayor: Valérie Plante'
‘Huge privilege’ to be Montreal’s first female mayor: Valérie Plante

Of the eight candidates in the running for the city’s top job, Coderre and Plante were the clear front-runners.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH BELOW: Denis Coderre speaks after losing election

Click to play video: 'Denis Coderre speaks after losing election'
Denis Coderre speaks after losing election

READ MORE: Combating voter apathy in Montreal’s 2017 elections

The Island of Montreal is divided into 15 municipalities and the City of Montreal, which has 19 boroughs.

WATCH BELOW: Projet Montréal’s Alex Norris says Valérie Plante’s win ‘a historic moment’

Click to play video: 'Projet Montreal’s Alex Norris says Valerie Plante’s win ‘a historic moment’'
Projet Montreal’s Alex Norris says Valerie Plante’s win ‘a historic moment’

READ MORE: Montreal mayoral candidates Denis Coderre, Valérie Plante debate

Plante, a former Sainte-Marie district city councillor, was named leader of opposition party Projet Montréal in December 2016.

Story continues below advertisement

Get the live Montreal election results here.

WATCH BELOW: Councillor says Plante’s election ‘rejection’ of Montreal administration

Click to play video: 'Councillor says Valerie Plante’s election ‘rejection’ of Montreal administration'
Councillor says Valerie Plante’s election ‘rejection’ of Montreal administration

rachel.lau@globalnews.ca

Sponsored content

AdChoices