On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada of Montreal and Mayor Catherine Fournier of Longueuil called on the provincial election campaign to place their cities' infrastructure needs at the top of the agenda. They warned that without a shift in policy, maintenance costs will continue to rise and the municipalities could fall behind in keeping essential services functional.
The two leaders highlighted that both Montreal and Longueuil are confronting expanding deficits in roads, transit, water and sewage systems. They said the forthcoming Quebec provincial election offers a chance for political parties to address these shortfalls before they become more expensive and disruptive for residents.
By stressing urgency, the mayors aim to shape the policy platform of provincial candidates, urging the allocation of resources and the development of long‑term plans that can stabilize or lower the financial pressure on the cities.
Their appeal arrives as the province readies for a campaign that will decide the next government's priorities. Infrastructure has not been a central theme in recent provincial debates, according to the mayors, and they hope heightened attention will translate into concrete commitments.
Both municipalities depend on provincial funding for major projects, and the officials argue that without a clear election‑time focus, the gap between required repairs and available budgets will widen. They emphasized that proactive investment now could prevent more severe disruptions for residents later.
The joint statement from Montreal and Longueuil underscores a broader concern among Quebec's large urban centres about aging infrastructure and the fiscal pressures of maintaining it. As the election approaches, parties are likely to be asked to outline how they intend to support the two cities in meeting these challenges.