Soraya Martinez Ferrada, a former federal minister and political refugee from Chile, emerged victorious in the Montreal mayoral election, securing a significant lead of nearly 35,000 votes over her closest rival. Taking the reins from Valerie Plante, she now leads Quebec’s largest city as the new mayor.
But who exactly is Soraya Martinez Ferrada? Having arrived in Montreal in the late 1980s, she made her political debut by serving on the city council in Saint-Michel under Union Montréal in 2005. Despite facing defeat in the 2009 election, Martinez Ferrada continued her political journey, holding various roles including chief of staff for Louise Harel of Vision Montréal and later serving in federal positions.
Her ascent to federal politics began with her election as MP for Hochelaga in 2019, marking a significant shift as the district had not been Liberal for thirty years. Throughout her federal tenure, she held key positions under different ministries, showcasing her dedication to public service.
In 2023, Soraya Martinez Ferrada took a pivotal step towards municipal leadership by securing the position of mayor of Montreal under the Ensemble Montréal party, a symbolic return to her roots in municipal politics.
