After dedicating 16 years to serving in municipal politics, Benoit Dorais, the current mayor of Sud-Ouest borough, has announced that he will not be seeking re-election for a fifth term in November. Dorais made this decision known during a press conference, stating that it is time for him to pass the torch to a new leader.
Having been elected as mayor in 2009, Dorais has been affiliated with various political groups until he joined Projet Montréal in 2017 when Valérie Plante became the mayor of Montreal. Throughout his tenure, Dorais held positions such as president of the executive committee and the city’s chief financial officer, with his latest role focusing on housing within the executive committee.
Reflecting on his accomplishments, Dorais emphasized his role in enhancing the green spaces within the borough and his commitment to establishing 10,000 community housing units by 2025. He expressed satisfaction in fulfilling his duties and credited his success to his deep roots in the area, stating his lifelong dedication to the well-being and progress of Sud-Ouest.
At the age of 50, Dorais has announced his departure from politics, hinting at embracing new challenges to continue serving his community in different capacities. He expressed optimism for the future of Sud-Ouest under new leadership, as he introduced Véronique Fournier as Projet Montréal’s mayoral candidate for the borough. Fournier, a former city councillor with a background in urban ecology, will be stepping in to lead the Sud-Ouest community.
