Mayor of Montreal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mayor of Montreal |
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Flag of Montreal
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Coat of arms of Montreal
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| Member of | City Council |
| Reports to | Montreal City Council |
| Residence | Montreal |
| Seat | Montreal City Hall |
| Appointer | Directly elected by residents of Montreal |
| Term length | Four years, renewable |
| Inaugural holder | Jacques Viger |
| Formation | June 5, 1833 |
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The mayor of Montreal is like the main leader of the city. They are in charge of the executive branch of the Montreal City Council. This means they help run all the city's services. These services include things like public property, police, and fire protection. The mayor also makes sure that city and provincial laws are followed in Montreal, Quebec.
The mayor is chosen directly by the people of Montreal. Citizens vote for who they want to be mayor. The person with the most votes wins. A mayor serves for four years. They can be re-elected for more terms. The mayor's main office is located in Montreal City Hall. The current mayor is Valérie Plante. She was elected on November 5, 2017.
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A Look Back: History of Montreal's Mayors
The first election in Montreal's history happened on June 3, 1833. This was the day Montreal's first official rulebook, called a charter, began.
Just two days later, on June 5, 1833, the city council chose Jacques Viger. He became the very first mayor of Montreal. On that same day, the city council also made new rules. These rules helped manage the city and keep it clean.
Symbols of the Mayor's Office
On July 19, 1833, Montreal got its first official coat of arms of Montreal. It also got a motto, "Concordia Salus," which means "prosperity through harmony." Mayor Viger suggested these symbols. The coat of arms had emblems for the main groups living in the city. A rose stood for England, a thistle for Scotland, and a clover for Ireland. A beaver represented French Canadians. Later, in 1938, the beaver was changed to a fleur de lys.
In 1851, the city council decided to give the mayor a special chain. This was an old English tradition. The coat of arms of Montreal was a big part of this gold chain. On October 2, 1851, the chain was given to Mayor Charles Wilson. This happened in a ceremony led by Lord Elgin. He was the Governor General of Canada at the time. Today, every new mayor wears this chain when they are sworn into office.
Mayors Elected by Citizens
In February 1852, Wilson became the first mayor chosen by the citizens themselves. Before this, the city council picked the mayor.
Since the 2009 Montreal municipal election, the mayor of Montreal also leads the borough of Ville-Marie. This means they have duties for that specific area too.
A big moment in Montreal's history happened on November 5, 2017. On this day, Valérie Plante was elected. She became the first woman to ever be the Mayor of Montreal.
What Happens if a Mayor Leaves Office?
Sometimes, a mayor might leave office before their term ends. This can happen if they resign. If this occurs, the deputy mayor temporarily takes over. The deputy mayor is a city councillor who takes turns holding this position during the council's term. For example, in 2012, councillor Jane Cowell-Poitras became the acting mayor. This happened after the previous mayor resigned.
If a mayor leaves office more than one year before the next regular election, a special election is held. This is called a by-election. It allows citizens to choose a new mayor. However, if the mayor leaves office less than a year before the next election, the city council has a different option. They can vote among themselves to choose one of their members to be the new mayor. This person serves until the next regular election. For instance, in 2013, the council chose Michael Applebaum to be mayor. Later that year, after he resigned, Laurent Blanchard was selected by the council.
See also
- List of mayors of Montreal
- List of leaders of the Official Opposition
- Timeline of Montreal history
- History of Montreal
- History of Quebec
- List of governors of Montreal
