Montreal Votes 2025: What each party is saying about public space this election

Much of Montreal’s cultural life happens outdoors. It spills into streets, parks, and ruelles—the city’s open-air stages and platforms for as many festivals as there are protests and markets. Public space is key to our civic life, but who those spaces serve, and how they’re shared, is becoming one of the biggest questions facing the next administration.

As new developments transform public squares and pedestrian zones, Montrealers are debating what these spaces should be for: commerce, community, or culture—or a fine balance of all three. The next mayor’s approach will shape how people gather, celebrate, and express themselves in the years ahead.

Ahead of the 2025 municipal election, The Main asked every party how they envision the city’s public spaces. We're talking everything from parks and plazas to laneways and pedestrian streets, and how it all supports cultural life. We also asked how they would balance commercial and community use, and what changes they’d make to make public spaces more inclusive for cultural activity.

Editor's Note: Projet Montréal and Action Montréal did not respond to our repeated requests for an interview. The notes included for those parties are extrapolated from their published platforms.

Here’s what each party had to say in their own words, where available.

What is your vision for how public spaces—from parks and plazas to ruelles and pedestrian streets—should support cultural life?

Ensemble Montréal – Équipe Soraya Martinez Ferrada:

"We must continue to support public spaces and make culture accessible to all. We’ve also promised to make it easier to install food trucks across the city, as foodie culture is an important part of what makes this city so special for both residents and tourists."

Transition Montréal – Équipe Craig Sauvé:

"Our parks, plazas, and laneways should become open stages for creativity. Transition Montréal will promote flexible, low-cost permits and infrastructure that allow spontaneous and community-driven cultural events year-round. We have also committed to increasing lighting in parks and public spaces, thus ensuring the feeling of security for all users."

Futur Montréal – Équipe Jean-François Kacou:

"At Futur Montreal, we believe in a local government that is close to its community. We will work to ensure that borough mayors and city councilors have the resources to work with community organizations to improve cleanliness and increase universal accessibility."

Action Montréal – Équipe Gilbert Thibodeau:

Action Montréal emphasizes revitalizing local commerce and improving safety in public spaces. The party’s platform calls for more active policing, better lighting, and improved accessibility in public areas, positioning these measures as ways to support neighbourhood life and attract visitors. While culture is not explicitly mentioned, these goals suggest a preference for practical maintenance and order as the foundation for lively public spaces.

Projet Montréal – Équipe Luc Rabouin:

Projet Montréal envisions public space as central to community and cultural life. Its platform promotes active, inclusive, and sustainable design for parks, plazas, and pedestrian streets, aiming to make them more welcoming and adaptable for cultural use. The party continues to support initiatives like pedestrianization, public art programs, and collaboration with cultural organizations to animate shared spaces across all boroughs.

How would you approach the balance between commercial use (terrasses, events) and community use (gatherings, performances) of public space?

Ensemble Montréal – Équipe Soraya Martinez Ferrada:

"The two cannot go without each other. Everyone must work together if we want to attract the attention of Montrealers. There’s no reason we can’t make both happen."

Transition Montréal – Équipe Craig Sauvé:

"Commercial terraces and community gatherings can coexist, but today, big business often dominates. We’ll prioritize non-profit, local, and citizen-led uses, ensuring that public spaces serve people, not just profits. We will review possible adjustments needed in permitting schemes and policies in favour of non-profit and community groups."

Futur Montréal – Équipe Jean-François Kacou:

"Community spaces are for all Montrealers to enjoy. At Futur Montréal, we want to give boroughs the resources to bring their spaces to life. We will create a simpler process for communities to reserve public spaces for performances."

Action Montréal – Équipe Gilbert Thibodeau:

Action Montréal supports greater flexibility for businesses to operate in public areas, including terraces, events, and markets, as part of its broader plan to stimulate economic activity. The platform’s focus on reducing administrative barriers and promoting commercial vitality suggests a pro-business approach, with community and cultural use following a model of coexistence rather than regulation.

Projet Montréal – Équipe Luc Rabouin:

Projet Montréal’s approach to public space aims to balance economic activity and accessibility. Its platform supports both commercial activation and community programming but emphasizes equity between boroughs, ensuring that neighbourhood cultural initiatives receive as much support as major commercial events.

What’s one change you’d prioritize to make Montreal’s public spaces more inclusive for cultural activities?

Ensemble Montréal – Équipe Soraya Martinez Ferrada:

"We recently announced $3 million to make culture accessible throughout the city, in each and every borough. Citizens have access to all sorts of cultural spaces downtown, whether they be prestige or underground, but that’s not enough. We need to make sure boroughs come alive through a life of their own and reflect their identity."

Transition Montréal – Équipe Craig Sauvé:

"Montréal has world-class public spaces amenable to cultural activities that are the envy of the world. These spaces are often monopolized by the big events and festivals. We need mechanisms that also provide space for community groups, non-profit coalitions, and citizen projects. We’d also expand access to free electricity, water, and storage for small cultural events, giving creators the same practical means large promoters already enjoy."

Futur Montréal – Équipe Jean-François Kacou:

"We have committed to increasing support for the animation of commercial and public spaces to bring our streets to life throughout the year."

Action Montréal – Équipe Gilbert Thibodeau:

Action Montréal’s platform highlights revitalization through accessibility and cleanliness. Its focus on security, infrastructure upkeep, and local commerce implies a priority on practical improvements — making public spaces safer, more orderly, and more appealing for both residents and visitors, rather than introducing new cultural infrastructure.

Projet Montréal – Équipe Luc Rabouin:

Projet Montréal prioritizes inclusivity and sustainability in public design. Its platform includes commitments to expand pedestrian areas, improve universal accessibility, and support cultural programming in parks and plazas. The party emphasizes long-term investment in shared spaces as a way to foster creativity, community, and environmental resilience.