Valérie Plante facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Her Worship/Son Honneur Valérie Plante
Plante in December 2022
45th Mayor of Montreal
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 November 2017
Preceded by	Denis Coderre
Leader of Projet Montréal
In office 4 December 2016 – 15 March 2025
Preceded by	Luc Ferrandez
Succeeded by	Luc Rabouin
Montreal City Councillor for Sainte-Marie
In office 2013–2017
Preceded by	Pierre Mainville
Succeeded by	Sophie Mauzerolle
Personal details
Born	(1974-06-14) 14 June 1974 (age 51) Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada
Political party	Projet Montréal
Residences	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Alma mater	Université de Montréal

Valérie Plante, born on June 14, 1974, is a Canadian politician. She has been the 45th and current mayor of Montreal since 2017. She was first elected to the Montreal City Council in 2013. Since December 2016, she has been the leader of the Projet Montréal party.

Plante was the candidate for Projet Montréal in the 2017 city election. She was elected Mayor of Montreal on November 5, 2017. She is the first woman to be elected mayor of Montreal. Before her, only a few women had briefly served as acting mayor or in a ceremonial role.

Valérie Plante's Early Life and Education

Valérie Plante was born in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, on June 14, 1974. As a teenager, she spent a year in North Bay, Ontario, to learn English. In 1994, she moved to Montreal to attend university.

She earned a degree in anthropology in 1997. Later, she received another degree in museology in 2001. Both degrees were from the Université de Montréal. After her studies, she worked for several non-profit groups. She was notably the communications director for the Girls Action Foundation. In the 1990s, she also worked as a tour guide at Vimy Ridge in France.

Valérie Plante's Political Journey

Becoming a City Councillor

In the 2013 Montreal city election, Valérie Plante was elected as a councillor. She represented the Sainte-Marie district in the Ville-Marie area. She won against Louise Harel, a former provincial minister. Plante was then named the opposition critic for downtown, tourism, and women's affairs. She also became the vice-president of the city council. She served as a substitute mayor for Ville-Marie as well.

In the fall of 2016, Plante announced she would run to become the leader of Projet Montréal. She won the leadership election with 51.9% of the votes, defeating Guillaume Lavoie.

Running for Mayor in 2017

Valérie Plante was elected Mayor of Montreal on November 5, 2017. She made history as the first woman to lead the city in its 375-year history. Many people did not expect Plante to win against the mayor at the time, Denis Coderre. He was a former federal Liberal Member of Parliament and a cabinet minister.

Plante won over voters by promising to improve public transportation. She also aimed to reduce traffic problems and make the city more friendly for families. On election day, Plante received 51 percent of the votes. Coderre received 46 percent. Her party, Projet Montréal, also won most of the seats on the Montreal City Council.

One of Plante's main promises in the 2017 election was to create a "Pink line". This new Montreal Metro line would improve public transit. It would connect downtown with the boroughs of Montréal-Nord and Lachine. Plante believed her campaign posters were placed in areas where her ideas would spread easily.

Re-election as Mayor in 2021

Valérie Plante won the election on November 7, 2021, against Denis Coderre again. She won by a larger difference this time, getting 52 percent of the votes. Coderre received 37 percent. Projet Montréal also gained more seats on the city council. Plante's campaign focused on adding 60,000 social housing units. She also promised to continue improving city life.

On October 23, 2024, Plante announced that she would not seek a third term as mayor. The next election is scheduled for November 2, 2025. She will continue to serve as mayor until her current term ends.

Valérie Plante's Family Life

Valérie Plante has two children. She is married to Pierre-Antoine Harvey. He is an economist who works with the Centrale des syndicats du Québec.

See also

In Spanish: Valérie Plante para niños