Benoit Dagenais is leaving his post as general manager of the City of Montreal, with the departure effective after June 10, 2026, and a severance package reported to exceed one million dollars. Alain Dufort, who had been serving as deputy general manager, will assume the top position.
The transition was announced by the municipal administration led by Martinez Ferrada, which said the change forms part of a broader senior‑management reshuffle aimed at renewing the city's leadership team.
Dagenais had overseen municipal operations since his appointment, while Dufort has been involved in the city's day‑to‑day management as deputy. The new arrangement places Dufort at the helm of the city's executive branch, responsible for coordinating services, budgeting and policy implementation.
The severance figure, described as exceeding one million dollars, reflects the terms of Dagenais’s contract for termination. The city has not disclosed the exact amount, but the payout is among the larger settlements in recent municipal personnel changes.
City officials indicated that the reshuffle will allow the administration to align its senior staff with the priorities set by Mayor‑council leader Martinez Ferrada. The move follows a series of appointments and departures aimed at streaming decision‑making across departments.
Observers note that the change occurs as Montreal continues to address fiscal pressures and service delivery challenges, though the administration stressed that the personnel shift is a routine part of its governance strategy.