Campaign manager for Project Montreal shifts political allegiance, now supportive of opposing faction.
In the bustling city of Montreal, Luc Rabouin officially launched his campaign for mayor on November 2, surrounded by supporters and well-wishers on Saint-Hubert Street.
Rabouin, who replaced Mathieu Vick as the campaign director of Projet Montreal, presented himself as an ordinary Montrealer, "not a career politician." He expressed concern about "the rise of authoritarianism and populism" and wants to "fight for social rights."
During his speech, Rabouin attacked Soraya Martinez Ferrada, leader of the Ensemble Montreal party, as the main rival in the mayoral race. He specifically mentioned fears within certain communities, including the LGBTQ+ community, racialized Montrealers, and women, and accused Ferrada of not doing enough to address these concerns.
Meanwhile, Craig Sauve, former elected official of Projet Montreal, launched Transition Montreal earlier this year after unsuccessful attempts to reconcile with the party. Sauve, who was excluded from Projet Montreal by Valerie Plante in 2021 due to an allegation of sexual misconduct, criticized the Plante administration's refusal to ban random police stops and the dismantling of homeless encampments, which he considers "forced evictions."
Sauve, who was good friends with Julie Belanger while she worked for Benoit Dorais, mayor of the Sud-Ouest arrondissement, from 2018 to 2023, criticized Projet Montreal's lack of combativeness against Quebec and Ottawa in the housing crisis dossier. Belanger, who left Projet Montreal in early October 2021 due to internal conflicts and switched to support rival candidate Denis Coderre, has since joined Transition Montreal.
At the campaign event, Carla Beauvais and Robert Beaudry introduced Rabouin as "dad," "engaged citizen," and "lover of his city." The Bank of Canada's interest rate cut was also considered a "breath of fresh air for consumers."
As the mayoral race heats up, it remains to be seen how the candidates will address the housing crisis, police stops, and other pressing issues facing Montreal.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
