What to expect from the upcoming municipal campaign?

Summer is in full swing and municipal political parties are discreet on the media scene, but behind the scenes, everyone is preparing for the campaign that will occupy a lot of space next fall. Here is an overview of the forces in place, in Quebec and Lévis.

A 45 -day campaign

In the municipal, the electoral campaign extends over 45 days. It is generally longer than in the provincial, where campaigns last between 33 and 39 days. In the federal part, the electoral period must last at least 37 days and at most 51 days. For the municipal elections of 2025, the electoral period will begin on September 19. Thus, the applications for those interested in mayors and advisers will take place from September 19 to October 3. Anticipation vote will take place on Sunday October 26. The ballot will take place on November 2.

A fight to several parties in Quebec

In Quebec, the political parties will be numerous in the ranks. They will try to monopolize the attention of voters in a period which is generally responsible for activities and news. Seven political parties are authorized in Quebec to date, Elections Québec confirms. The team of mayor Bruno Marchand, a strong and proud Quebec, faces the opposition of Quebec first, which occupies the status of official opposition with its chief, Claude Villeneuve, of Transition Québec, whose heads is a councilor of Limoilou, leadership Quebec (LQ), with Sam Hamad, of citizens’ respect, with Stéphane Lachance, and of Alliance Quebec, Party of Marc Roussin. The Quebec Priority Team leader, Stevens Mélançon, says he is “in reflection”, namely if he will join the ranks of the LQ. A party is in the process of obtaining an authorization, the party of the world – team Anne Guérette. All candidates will have to demonstrate their eligibility by October 3.

The latest polls

In the town hall race, the last polls announce a race for two between the outgoing mayor, Bruno Marchand, and the former Liberal Minister Sam Hamad. The last light probe/The newspaperin September 2024, placed them at the shoulder, while Mr. Hamad was not officially in the race. The merchant mayor collected two points ahead, 39% against 37%. Last June, once Sam Hamad declared a candidate, a Segma survey suggested that the voting intentions gave Bruno Marchand a slight lead, with 38% against 32% for Mr. Hamad. The undecided were very numerous (29%).

Hot files

Believe it or not, structuring transport will monopolize a large part of the municipal campaign debates for third elections in a row in Quebec. Already in 2017, candidates like Anne Guérette campaigned with a tram project, while Régis Labeaume opposed it, but advocated structuring transport. This year, Bruno Marchand hammers that the tram project is in motion, but it is questioned by some of his opponents. In addition to transport, homelessness and the situation in Saint-Roch may rise to hot subjects, as is the housing crisis, taxes, including that on registration, adaptation of municipal infrastructure to climate change and leisure and sports equipment, such as refrigerated skating rinks. Without counting the third link which, even if it is a file which comes under the Legault government, risks bounced back on the municipal scene.

Three candidates want to take over from Lehouillier

After 12 years at the head of Lévis, Gilles Lehouillier will derive his political reverence at the end of his present mandate. Three candidates are on the ranks to replace it. First, her successor and president of the finance committee, Isabelle Demers, takes the lead of the mayor’s party, Lévis Force 10. She claims to be the continuity of the Lehouillier era, but promises to bring her own color. In opposition for four years, the advisor to rethink Lévis Serge Bonin aspires to become mayor. Having followed the Lehouillier administration on finance since 2021, he promises more transparency in municipal management. Newcomer to the municipal scene, but old road truckboard, the former federal conservative minister Steven Blaney enjoys good notoriety with the Lévisians. At the head of Prosperity Lévis, he promises to end “quickly” at the moratorium on the construction in force on two thirds of the territory.