Quebec City hosted the Union of Quebec Municipalities' (UMQ) annual electoral summit on September 18, 2026, bringing together municipal leaders from across the province. While the gathering featured representatives from a wide range of cities and towns, the mayor of Montreal was not in attendance.
The UMQ's electoral summit is a regular event that provides a forum for municipal officials to discuss upcoming elections, share best practices, and coordinate on issues that affect local governments throughout Quebec. This year’s meeting continued that tradition, offering sessions on campaign strategies, voter engagement, and the evolving political landscape at the municipal level.
Organizers noted that the summit’s agenda included presentations from experts on electoral law, workshops on digital outreach, and panels exploring the challenges facing small and large municipalities alike. Participants were expected to network, exchange ideas, and prepare for the municipal elections scheduled for the following year.
Although the mayor of Montreal did not join the summit, the city’s municipal council was represented by other officials who took part in the discussions. The absence was recorded by the UMQ but no further detail was provided about the reason for the mayor’s non‑attendance.
The summit’s commencement in Quebec City underscores the importance the province places on coordinated municipal governance and the role of the UMQ in facilitating dialogue among its members. As municipal elections approach, the outcomes of the summit’s workshops and sessions are likely to influence campaign approaches and policy priorities for municipalities throughout Quebec.
The UMQ will release a summary of the summit’s key takeaways in the coming weeks, offering insight into the strategies and concerns that will shape the next round of municipal elections across the province.