Gatineau mayor takes on new role among Quebec municipal leaders 

Sophie Demers 

Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette has been elected president of the Union of Quebec Municipalities’ (UMQ) Caucus of Large Cities. The caucus brings together representatives from the 11 Quebec municipalities with populations over 100,000. These municipalities include Gatineau, Laval, Lévis, Longueuil, Montréal, Québec City, Saguenay, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Sherbrooke, Terrebonne, and Trois-Rivières. 

The caucus met in Montreal on December 12, where the members unanimously chose Marquis-Bissonnette as their president, along with Stéphane Boyer, Laval Mayor, as vice-president. 

Other members include Trois-Rivières mayor Jean-François Aubin, Sherbrooke mayor Marie-Claude Bibeau, Lévis mayor Steven Blaney, Saguenay mayor Luc Boivin, Québec City councillor Mélissa Coulombe-Leduc, Longueuil mayor Catherine Fournier, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu mayor Éric Latour, Québec City mayor Bruno Marchand, Montreal mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Laval councillor Carole St-Denis, and Terrebonne mayor Mathieu Traversy. 

Due to their population densities, these municipalities face unique and growing challenges. The caucus aims to highlight these issues, such as public transit development, the housing crisis, and homelessness. They will also discuss issues such as welcoming and integrating newcomers who are often drawn to large cities.

“I am proud to assume the presidency of the UMQ Caucus of Large Cities,” said Marquis-Bissonnette. “I will work with determination to promote the priorities and ambitions of Quebec's 11 large cities. Faced with numerous and complex challenges, we can share common solutions. By combining our strengths and expertise, we will strengthen our influence and become a real driving force for concerted action for the future of the municipal sector. I am enthusiastic about taking on this new mandate.”

UMQ mandate is to represent Quebec’s municipalities, big or small. They aim to provide leadership to local governments and promote the role of municipal election officials. Founded in 1919, UMQ’s president is Mascouche mayor Guillaume Tremblay.