NEWS FROM RIGHT HERE
October 27, 2025
Municipal Elections 2025 – Inform, Mobilize, Act
On November 2, 2025, the residents and corporate citizens of Montréal will be called to the polls to elect their municipal representatives. On this occasion, the SDC District Central speaks on behalf of the business community it represents. This article brings together the essential information to help members and citizens exercise their right to vote and gain a better understanding of local issues.
1. SETTING THE CONTEXT
Municipal elections allow citizens to choose the elected officials who will shape their neighborhood for the next four years. In Montreal, this includes the city mayor, borough mayors, and city and borough councilors.
District Central, located in Ahuntsic-Cartierville, is an area undergoing rapid transformation, recognized as the city's fourth largest employment hub. In this context, municipal decisions have a direct impact on the neighborhood's economic, urban, and social development.
2. THE ISSUES AND REQUESTS OF THE SDC DISTRICT CENTRAL
As part of the elections, the SDC District Central is calling on the candidates to address three major issues related to the development of the territory:
Issue 1 : Adapt cycling infrastructure to local economic realities
The installation of bike lanes in the unique industrial area of the District Central, without prior consultation, has raised serious concerns within the business community. This infrastructure has led to conflicts of use, logistical challenges, and significant economic impacts for businesses, as well as notable safety issues for all users. The SDC is calling for a collaborative approach to better harmonize sustainable mobility with economic activities.
Key requests:
- Officially recognize the impacts of the current north-south bike path and immediately remove it in its current form.
- Coordinated redevelopment with businesses.
- Open up the area with major transportation routes.
Issue 2 : Prioritize urban logistics and support sustainable transformation
The urban transformation of District Central requires logistics that are adapted to the realities of manufacturing and commerce. The adoption of the Special Planning Program (PPU), the redevelopment of the Louvain West site, and the rollout of signature projects across the territory are paving the way for an ambitious redefinition of the district. The goal: to make District Central a true, fully developed business district, where economic vitality goes hand in hand with quality of life. The SDC envisions a transformation that is inclusive, sustainable, and innovative.
Key requests:
- Make urban logistics a priority
- Support innovation and ecological transition projects
- Work with the SDC and the business community to build a resilient region
Issue 3 : Bring the metropolitan innovation zone to life and fully recognize the economic potential of the District Central
Recognized as an innovation zone, District Central must see this designation take shape through structuring projects and dedicated resources.
Key requests:
- Confirm, defend, and fully embrace the status of innovation zone.
- Quickly activate concrete projects aligned with the needs of the territory.
- Work with local stakeholders to co-develop an economic development plan adapted to the realities of District Central.
3. COMMITMENTS BY THE PARTIES
The SDC invited the two main parties in the running to respond to its requests listed above. Here are their responses:
- The candidates’ responses to District Central’s key issues
4. MEETINGS AND ELECTORAL PANELS IN DISTRICT CENTRAL
The SDC District Central met with the local teams of Ensemble Montréal and Projet Montréal to represent and defend the interests of the business community on the following issues: adapting cycling infrastructure to economic realities, prioritizing urban logistics, and developing the metropolitan innovation zone. These discussions reaffirmed the importance of close collaboration between municipal decision-makers and the business community to build a District Central that is innovative, accessible, and prosperous.
Meeting with Ensemble Montréal - October 17, 2025
From left to right: Geneviève Dufour (Associate Executive Director, SDC), Hélène Veilleux (Executive Director, SDC), Gabriel Tupula (President of the Board, SDC), Maude Théroux-Séguin (candidate for mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville) and Victor Esposito (candidate for councilor of the Saint-Sulpice district)
Meeting with Transition Montreal - October 29, 2025
From left to right: Frédéric Bataille (spokesperson for Ahuncycle), Marc Shakour (candidate for councillor in the Bordeaux-Cartierville district), Hélène Veilleux (SDC), Miro Bataille (candidate for councillor in the Sault-au-Récollet district), Craig Sauvé (candidate for mayor of Montreal), Benoit Lemire (candidate for councillor for the Saint-Sulpice district), Geneviève Dufour (SDC), David Noé-de Laurière (candidate for mayor of Anjou)
Meeting with Projet Montréal - October 24, 2025
From left to right: Geneviève Dufour (Associate Executive Director, SDC), Hélène Veilleux (Executive Director, SDC), Gabriel Tupula (President of the Board, SDC), Émilie Thuillier (candidate for mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville)
Election Forum at the BGA
At the Budget General Assembly (BGA) on September 29, the candidates for mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Maude Théroux-Séguin (Ensemble Montréal) and Émilie Thuillier (Projet Montréal), had the opportunity to address the District Central business community directly. This forum highlighted key issues for our territory: adapted mobility, urban logistics, ecological transition, and the implementation of the Metropolitan Innovation Zone. This was an important step in strengthening the dialogue between businesses and future municipal decision-makers.
From left to right: Delia De Gasperis (SDC Board of Directors), Jean-François Soulières (SDC Board of Directors), Gabriel Tupula (Chair of the Board), Philippe Gagnon (Vice-Chair of the SDC Board), Maude Théroux-Séguin (candidate for Mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Ensemble Montréal), Célestine Véronneau (SDC Board of Directors), Émilie Thuillier (candidate for Mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Projet Montréal), Laetitia Bedout (Treasurer-Secretary of the SDC), Howard Szalavetz (SDC Board of Directors), Hélène Veilleux (Executive Director, SDC), Eugénie Lévis (SDC Board of Directors)
5. HOW BUSINESSES CAN VOTE
Businesses can vote in municipal elections through a designated representative. This applies to:
- Sole owners of a commercial building
- Sole occupants of a business establishment
- Designated representatives appointed by co-owners or co-occupants
Steps to follow:
- Fill out the appropriate form (SMR-9.1 or SMR-9.2)
- Send the form to [email protected] before October 16 at 6 p.m.
- Ensure that the designated representative is not already registered as an individual voter in the same municipality
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