Montreal, October 27, 2025 – Soraya Martinez Ferrada, leader of Ensemble Montréal and candidate for mayor of the city, made several announcements in various neighborhoods neglected by Projet Montréal in order to invest in services for youth and families.
Ms. Martinez Ferrada visited the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, where she announced that she will invest $7 million to add 5,000 square feet to the Hochelaga Community Centre, to renovate the Pierre-Lorange pool and expand the Hochelaga library, so that the centre can offer sports, cultural and community activities.
She also committed to expanding and renovating the Langelier Library. Finally, the party also committed to beginning the process of establishing a sports and community center in Tétreaultville.
Commitments in Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
Ms. Martinez Ferrada also visited the Doug-Harvey Arena on Monday to commit to catching up on investment in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
An Ensemble Montréal administration will establish a multi-sport center in the Darlington district and begin renovations to the Doug Harvey Arena. A total of $50 million over 10 years is earmarked for these projects, including $21.8 million in the first mandate.
The Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough currently has three sports centers, all at full capacity. This infrastructure is therefore necessary to meet the needs of the citizens of Montreal’s most populous borough.
A reminder in the home
In the morning, Ms. Martinez Ferrada went to 7235 rue Saint-Urbain , a vacant building acquired by the City in 2019 in the borough of Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension (VSMPE).
Alongside Sylvain Gariépy, spokesperson for housing and candidate for mayor of VSMPE, she reiterated her key commitments in the area of housing.
In its first mandate, Ensemble Montréal will therefore implement a series of measures to enable construction to be faster.
The Mixed Metropolis Regulation (the “20-20-20”) would be replaced by financial incentives and a partnership with real estate and non-profit organizations. Incentive zoning would be used to encourage the construction of affordable housing, and a 90-day standard for obtaining a permit would be implemented, as well as the use of artificial intelligence to simplify permit applications.
Ensemble Montréal also plans to use its land equity to rapidly develop vacant land and buildings in the City, notably through the use of 70-year long leases, property tax credits for affordable and social housing projects, and the creation of an Affordability Fund to build and acquire off-market housing, among other measures.
Quotes:
“It’s important that our young people, our families, and all Montrealers have places where they can thrive. Sports infrastructure is a way to foster winning living conditions for everyone, where they can learn, come together, and achieve. To achieve this, we absolutely must vote for change on November 2.” – Soraya Martinez Ferrada , candidate for mayor of the metropolis and leader of Ensemble Montréal.
“The NDG community has been asking for a sports center for a long time. The current infrastructure is overloaded and no longer sufficient. I am proud that we can offer them sports facilities that meet their needs.” – Stephanie Valenzuela , candidate for mayor of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce for Ensemble Montréal.
“The citizens of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve-Mercier have been taken for granted by the outgoing municipal administration. It is time to invest to give them access to quality sports, cultural and community facilities.” – Chantal Gagnon , candidate for mayor of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve for Ensemble Montréal.