Maude Marquis-Bissonnette Secures Re-election as Gatineau Mayor

In a competitive election, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette has been re-elected as the mayor of Gatineau, Quebec. She garnered 41,569 votes, which accounted for 51.1% of the total, outperforming her challenger, Coun. Mario Aubé, who received 38,203 votes or 47% of the vote.

Maude Marquis-Bissonnette’s Victory Speech

Following the announcement of the results, Marquis-Bissonnette expressed her gratitude in a victory speech. She acknowledged the early lead of Aubé but maintained that the outcome demonstrated they were moving in the right direction while emphasizing the need for ongoing work. “What an evening!” she exclaimed.

Background on the Election

Marquis-Bissonnette, who leads the Action Gatineau party, first assumed the role of mayor approximately 17 months ago. She won her initial election during a byelection when former mayor France Bélisle resigned. Political party affiliations are more common in Quebec than in Ontario when it comes to municipal roles.

Campaign Promises and Election Focus

Throughout her campaign, Marquis-Bissonnette prioritized investments in public transit and environmental initiatives. Additionally, she committed to increasing the city’s affordable housing by constructing 1,500 new residential units. Both candidates aimed to control municipal taxes and fees, a key issue that motivated Aubé to enter the race.

Concession by Mario Aubé

After the election results were announced, Aubé, representing the newly formed Team Mario Aubé party, conceded the election. He acknowledged the will of the Gatineau electorate, stating, “The people of Gatineau have made their choice, and we must respect it.”

Election Day Challenges

Voting in Gatineau faced technical difficulties that prompted extended polling hours. The city’s chief electoral officer, Véronique Denis, reported glitches affected multiple polling stations, resulting in an extension until 8:30 PM. The voter turnout was approximately 41%, a significant increase from the 33% in the previous year’s mayoral byelection.

City Council Composition

Preliminary results indicate that the Action Gatineau party is set to secure a slim majority in the city council. The distribution of council seats includes:

• Action Gatineau: 11 councillors
• Team Mario Aubé: 7 councillors
• Independent: 1 councillor

Coun. Caroline Murray, newly elected in Deschênes, mentioned that the Action Gatineau party is capable of collaborating with all council members, regardless of party affiliation.

Key Outcomes of the Election

In summary, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette’s re-election signifies a continuation of her leadership in Gatineau, promising further investments and collaboration within the community.