The atmosphere at the Verdun polling station is electric. During the tour, Luc Rabouin is warmly welcomed by Projet Montréal activists.
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The Montreal mayoral candidate, who is trying to succeed Valerie Plante as mayor of Montreal, gives an interview to TVA Nouvelles in all his simplicity between two handshakes and an impromptu photo shoot.
“The campaign is intense, but it's very stimulating. We've just had an adrenaline moment where people are supporting us. They believe in us, they believe in our vision for the city,” he admits, clearly buoyed by the enthusiasm of his supporters. I mean, it gives you energy.
Expansion of the project with the wind of updating
Even if outgoing Mayor Valérie Plante has not appeared alongside her since the start of the campaign, Rabouin does not hide his political and ideological connection to her.
“We have the same vision for the city. Same vision, same values. Deep social justice values, environmental values. A vision for the people who live in Montreal,” he explains, although he claims to represent a “new team” within Projet Montréal.
The message is clear: he in no way denies Plant's legacy, but wants to embody a new dynamic, a renewed generation carrying the same ideals.
“The two of us talk to each other. I know that Valerie goes door to door in different areas. We agreed on this,” adds Luc Rabouin.
Get known, convince locally
Luc Rabouin, who has overtaken his rival Soraya Martinez Ferrada in the polls, remains calm. His tone is calm, thoughtful, almost detached from the usual election excitement.
“People will make choices, and I will accept those choices. There are people who are unhappy and want change. Our job is to explain that Projet Montréal has a new team.”
His strategy: meet with citizens, respond to specific problems. Housing and the environment top the list of issues raised. Listening, Rabouin insists on his attachment to the municipal level.
“That's why I'm at the municipal level. I have no interest in going to the provincial or federal level. When we do things here, we see results. It directly impacts people's lives.”
TVA News Capture
Promises on the ground and concrete measures
When faced with certain criticism or controversial projects, Luc Rabouin does not shy away from debate. He shelved the Camilien-Houda project, but confirmed his desire to focus on active mobility.
“My priority in the next mandate is to create an express bus network. Let's put as much passion into it as we put into our cycling network. Because that too moves thousands of people every day.”
He also wants to double the number of “sponge parks”, an initiative created by Projet Montréal to combat urban flooding, and insists on the importance of housing that is accessible to all: “We have no ambiguity. Housing is a priority. We don't just want to build more and faster. We want to build for everyone.”
Last sprint
Two weeks before the election, Rabouin and his team are redoubling their efforts to persuade voters. The candidate wants to make his face better known, as well as the vision he embodies: a vision of a united, green and decidedly humane Montreal.
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