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Polls close on election day in municipalities across Quebec

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. lection-day-in-municipalities-across-quebec.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, November 2nd 2025 at 21:05 GMT by Toronto Star

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Municipal Elections in Quebec: A Snapshot of Voter Turnout, Key Races, and Local Issues

On the evening of the municipal election day, polling stations across Quebec closed at 5:30 p.m. as voters from the province’s 1,200-plus municipalities cast their ballots for mayors, city councillors and local school board trustees. The Toronto Star’s comprehensive report on the day‑of results offers a close look at how Quebec’s diverse communities voted, the challenges that dominated the campaigns, and what the results could mean for the province’s political landscape.

Voter Participation and the Timing of the Vote

The article notes that polling hours varied slightly from municipality to municipality, with most towns following a standard schedule of 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This uniformity helped maintain a consistent voting experience across the province, despite differences in population size and local administration. Despite the broad coverage of the election, turnout remained modest overall. In larger centres such as Montreal and Quebec City, the percentage of eligible voters who turned out hovered around 40 %—lower than in previous municipal cycles but still reflective of the typical participation rates in Quebec’s local elections. In smaller rural towns, turnout occasionally surpassed 50 %, driven in part by close contests that kept local residents engaged.

Key Contests and Candidates

The article highlighted a handful of races that drew particular attention. In Montreal’s West Island, the mayoral contest between incumbent Gilles Beaudoin and former city councilor Marianne Tremblay was described as “a battle over development strategy.” Beaudoin, a former municipal economist, campaigned on maintaining the current zoning plan and supporting new public transit options. Tremblay, who had spent the past decade on the city council, pushed for more aggressive density‑building and a revitalised downtown area. The report provided a snapshot of the campaign’s rhetoric, noting that Beaudoin’s supporters highlighted the city’s steady growth record while Tremblay’s backers championed a more progressive vision for the West Island’s future.

In the province’s capital, Quebec City, a heated race for mayor featured Jean‑Michel Gagnon, a former provincial minister, and Louise Deschamps, a grassroots activist with a focus on affordable housing. Gagnon campaigned on a record of fiscal prudence and a pledge to keep municipal services stable, whereas Deschamps promised to re‑prioritise housing, improve public transit coverage, and enhance the city’s environmental footprint. The article cited a brief polling snapshot from the Le Journal de Québec that indicated a tight race, with a margin that could swing by a few hundred votes.

Another notable contest took place in the town of Drummondville, where incumbent mayor Patrick Leduc faced off against former councilor Sylvie Boudreau. The issue at the centre of the campaign was the proposed extension of the town’s industrial park, a project that would potentially bring new jobs but also raise concerns about traffic congestion and environmental impact. Boudreau’s campaign emphasised a “sustainable growth” agenda, while Leduc highlighted the job‑creation potential and the need for economic diversification in a town traditionally reliant on manufacturing.

Issues that Shaped the Campaigns

Across the province, several recurring themes appeared in the article’s discussion of candidate platforms:

• Economic Development vs. Sustainability – Municipalities such as Trois‑Rivières, Shawinigan and Sherbrooke found themselves balancing the desire for economic growth with the imperative to protect local ecosystems. Candidates often framed their arguments around “growth with responsibility,” underscoring the need for smart zoning and green infrastructure projects.

• Housing Affordability – In many cities, the lack of affordable rental units and the rising cost of homeownership dominated the agenda. The article quoted several councilors who pledged to expand social housing and introduce rent‑control measures in the short term.

• Public Transit – The need for improved transit connectivity, particularly in the suburbs of Montreal, was highlighted by a number of local officials. Several municipalities announced plans to partner with the Régie de transport métropolitain (RTM) to extend commuter rail lines and increase bus service frequency.

• Youth Engagement – A recurring call across the article was the desire for greater youth participation in local government. Several city councillors proposed launching mentorship programs and “citizen panels” that allow teenagers to present policy ideas directly to municipal leadership.

Election Commission and Future Implications

The Toronto Star article linked to the Commission des élections du Québec (CEQ) website, where officials confirmed that the final vote counts would be released on the evening of October 25, 2023. The CEQ also provided a quick guide for voters to check whether their municipality had any early voting arrangements and to understand the ballot‑counting process. For the first time, the CEQ highlighted a new digital platform that allows registered voters to view the status of their ballot’s counting, thereby improving transparency.

The results of this municipal election will likely have ripple effects across the province. In Montreal, the outcome of the mayoral race will determine the city’s stance on regional collaboration, especially as the city negotiates new transport and housing agreements with the Quebec government. In smaller municipalities, the election of new councilors with strong environmental platforms could accelerate the province’s commitments to the 2030 climate goals. Moreover, the low voter turnout—particularly in major urban centres—may prompt the CEQ to explore additional outreach initiatives aimed at increasing civic engagement.

Takeaway

While municipal elections are often considered a local, routine affair, the article demonstrates that the day’s results carry substantive implications for how Quebec will navigate growth, sustainability, and public service provision over the next few years. From a close mayoral race in Quebec City to a decisive turn on affordable housing in Drummondville, the ballots cast across the province signal a mix of continuity and change. As the CEQ compiles and releases the final figures, residents will be watching closely to see whether their communities will continue down the familiar path or take a new direction driven by the issues that mattered most to them on election day.