Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada and new Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette intend to create stronger ties between the city and province, vowing to be “better partners” moving forward.
Martinez Ferrada welcomed Fréchette at Montreal City Hall on Wednesday for their first official meeting. The two discussed issues such as housing, homelessness, infrastructure and developing the city’s east end.
In a brief address to reporters afterward, Martinez Ferrada said she appreciated Fréchette’s view on how the city and province’s regions need to work together.
“For too long, the conversation has been polarized between Montreal and the regions. It’s refreshing to hear a premier speak about how we can support each other,” Martinez Ferrada said.
“The economic conflicts are not inside our province, they’re outside,” she added. “And we need to collaborate together to develop a strong economy for Quebec, and that includes the metropolis.”
Fréchette was elected as the Coalition Avenir Québec’s new leader on April 12 and was sworn in as the province’s 33rd premier last week.
On Wednesday, she said she wants to strengthen Quebec’s relationship with the city and spoke of increasing investments in infrastructure maintenance.
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, right, and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette wear Montreal Canadiens jerseys for their meeting at city hall in Montreal on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette
“We have big ambitions for the city, and by extension, for Quebec as a whole,” said Fréchette, who arrived at city hall wearing a Montreal Canadiens jersey. “Because what happens in the city also has an impact on the rest of Quebec.”
Since taking office as mayor in November, Martinez Ferrada has made the homelessness crisis her top priority and has been vocal in recent weeks about the need for more support from other levels of government.
“We discussed the issue of homelessness,” Fréchette said following their meeting. “I believe we need to establish closer partnerships. And we need productive, effective partnerships that include all stakeholders, including the mayor of Montreal, of course.”
The two elected officials also spoke of their joint interest in developing Montreal’s east end, and Martinez Ferrada noted she was proud to have a woman sitting as premier again. Neither took questions from reporters.
When then-premier François Legault visited city hall for his first meeting with Martinez Ferrada in November, he had linked temporary immigration to issues such as homelessness and the decline of French in the city.
In the aftermath, Martinez Ferrada had warned against making sweeping generalizations about immigration. Fréchette made no mention of immigration Wednesday, but has already vowed to take a “more human approach” on the issue.
Editor’s Picks