The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Politics & World›Politics›Valérie Plante
Politics & World • Politics

Valérie Plante

Valérie Plante is a Quebec politician who served as mayor of Montreal from 2017 to 2025.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Valérie Plante is a Quebec politician who served as mayor of Montreal from 2017 to 2025. She was the first woman elected to the office and was also leader of Projet Montréal from 2016 to 2025. Before becoming mayor, she served as a Montreal city councillor starting in 2013.

Early life and education

Valérie Plante was born in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, and studied at the Université de Montréal. Sources describe training in anthropology, museology, and intercultural intervention, along with work in community and communications roles before entering municipal politics.

Municipal political career

Plante entered elected politics in 2013 as a city councillor for Projet Montréal. She became party leader in 2016 and was elected mayor of Montreal in 2017, defeating incumbent Denis Coderre.

Mayor of Montreal

As mayor, Plante led Montreal from 2017 to 2025 and was re-elected in 2021. Her tenure is associated with policies on transport, urban planning, climate action, housing, and local biodiversity.

Public profile and significance

Plante is widely noted for becoming Montreal’s first elected female mayor. Her leadership also extended to metropolitan and municipal organizations, including the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.

Key facts

  • Elected to Montreal City Council in 2013 as a member of Projet Montréal.
  • Became leader of Projet Montréal in December 2016.
  • Elected mayor of Montreal in November 2017 and re-elected in 2021.
  • First woman elected mayor of Montreal.
  • Announced in 2024 that she would not seek a third term in 2025.
🍁
Canadian context

Valérie Plante is significant to Canadian municipal politics as the first woman elected mayor of Montreal, one of Canada’s largest cities, and as a prominent Quebec municipal leader.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Valérie Plante?
Valérie Plante is a Canadian politician from Quebec who served as mayor of Montreal from 2017 to 2025.
When was Valérie Plante born?
She was born on 14 June 1974 in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec.
What political party is Valérie Plante associated with?
She is associated with Projet Montréal, which she led from 2016 to 2025.
Was Valérie Plante the first woman mayor of Montreal?
Yes. She was the first woman elected mayor of Montreal.
When did Valérie Plante become mayor of Montreal?
She was elected mayor in November 2017.
Did Valérie Plante run again in 2025?
No. She announced in 2024 that she would not seek a third term in the 2025 election.

References

  1. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/fr/article/valerie-plante
    Supports: Birth, political career, election as mayor in 2017, re-election in 2021, and significance as Montreal’s first elected female mayor.
  2. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val%C3%A9rie_Plante
    Supports: Birthplace, councillor role starting in 2013, mayoralty from 2017, and non-candidacy in 2025.
  3. CORIM — https://www.corim.qc.ca/fr/biographie/1122/Valerie_Plante
    Supports: Education, pre-political career, councillor election in 2013, and election as mayor in 2017.
  4. Centre Jacques Cartier — https://centrejacquescartier.com/biographicals/valerie-plante/
    Supports: Political timeline, leadership of Projet Montréal, and roles in municipal bodies.
  5. Wikipedia (English) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val%C3%A9rie_Plante
    Supports: Mayor of Montreal from 2017 to 2025, leadership of Projet Montréal, and announcement not to seek a third term.