This morning, Luc Rabouin, leader of Projet Montréal, unveiled his team for the Sud-Ouest borough. Led by Véronique Fournier, candidate for borough mayor, the team will also include Catherine Houbart, candidate for city councilor in Saint-Henri-Est-Petite-Bourgogne-Pointe-St-Charles-Griffintown; Jonathan Burnham, candidate for borough councilor in the district of Saint-Henri-Est-Petite-Bourgogne-Pointe-St-Charles-Griffintown; and Nicolas Jolicoeur, candidate for borough councilor in the district of Saint-Paul-Émard-Saint-Henri-Ouest.
With this new team, Projet Montréal is breathing new life into the legacy built by Benoît Dorais and his team over the past 16 years. Under the leadership of Véronique Fournier, this renewed team will prioritize preserving affordable housing, strengthening the resilience of the Sud-Ouest neighbourhoods and ensuring safe travel for all road users.
Biography - Véronique Fournier
Véronique Fournier has been a recognized and committed leader for nearly 25 years in the planning and development of cities on a human scale. As director of the Centre d'écologie urbaine since 2014, she has initiated and led numerous innovative projects across Quebec, such as participatory budgeting, participatory demineralization and blue-green alleys, which promote adaptation to climate change and strengthen local democracy. A former city councilor for the Sud-Ouest borough (2009-2013), she spearheaded Griffintown's second PPU, the borough's first housing inclusion strategy and was at the heart of citizen mobilization efforts for neighborhood and environmentally friendly development.
With a background combining local development, social economy and municipal governance, she is also co-founder of Piétons Québec and administrator of several environmental and social economy organizations. A resident of Saint-Henri for over 20 years, she now wishes to put her experience and leadership skills to work for the residents of the Sud-Ouest borough in order to meet the challenges of ecological transition, social inclusion and sustainable urban development.
Biography – Catherine Houbart
Catherine Houbart is an environmental, urban planning and project management professional who has been involved in ecological transition and citizen participation for over ten years. With a bachelor's degree in ecology, a master's degree in urban planning and a short program in project management, she has developed specialized expertise in issues such as climate change adaptation, sustainable stormwater management, mobility and biodiversity. As executive director of the Groupe de recommandations et d'actions pour un meilleur environnement (GRAME) for five years, she coordinated major initiatives aimed at building resilient and inclusive communities, working closely with elected officials and local communities. A resident of Pointe-Saint-Charles for eight years and active in her housing cooperative, Catherine is deeply rooted in the Sud-Ouest borough. Recognized for her unifying leadership and capacity for innovation, she wishes to put her experience and energy to work for the borough's residents to build a greener, more supportive community on a human scale.
Biography - Nicolas Jolicoeur
Nicolas Jolicoeur is an entrepreneur and community leader with deep roots in the Sud-Ouest borough. As co-founder of Dermadry, a Montreal-based company specializing in the manufacture of medical devices exported to more than 80 countries, he has helped improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of patients around the world. With his experience at the helm of an innovative company and his ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, he now wishes to put his expertise to work in municipal management. The father of two young daughters and a resident of Côte-Saint-Paul, he is actively involved in his neighborhood, organizing community work projects, park inaugurations and greening initiatives. Known for his dynamism and sense of community, he wants to represent the residents of Saint-Paul–Émard–Saint-Henri-Ouest in order to build a greener, more united borough on a human scale.
Biography – Jonathan Burnham
Jonathan Burnham is a communicator and community leader who has been involved in cultural, social and international circles for over twenty years. With a master's degree in political and social sciences and a bachelor's degree in political science and economics, he has worked with organizations such as the Conseil des métiers d'art du Québec and AMI-télé, where he helped launch the channel. He is co-founder of the Observatoire mondial des droits de l'homme (World Observatory for Human Rights) and the Fondation Partenariat Solidarité (Solidarity Partnership Foundation), where he has led international solidarity projects promoting education for young girls in Burkina Faso. Deeply involved in Montreal's cultural life, he has served on several boards of directors, including that of the Fondation de la Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur (Historic Chapel of the Good Shepherd Foundation). Recognized for his ability to build bridges between communities and promote inclusion, he now wishes to put his experience and energy to work for the residents of Saint-Henri–Petite-Bourgogne–Pointe-Saint-Charles–Griffintown.
Quotes
"I am very proud to welcome Véronique Fournier as the head of our team for the Sud-Ouest borough. Deeply rooted in her neighborhood and with a solid understanding of municipal issues, Véronique is an exceptional candidate who will be able to continue the tremendous work begun by Benoît Dorais over the past 16 years. I have every confidence that she and her team will rally the people of the Sud-Ouest around Projet Montréal's vision and build a borough that is united, resilient and future-oriented. "
"It is an honor to take over from Benoît Dorais, who is hanging up his hat after 16 years of serving the people of Sud-Ouest. This borough has been my home for over twenty years. I want to run for mayor of the Sud-Ouest with Projet Montréal because I deeply believe that Luc Rabouin and Projet Montréal offer exactly what our neighborhoods and our city need: a pragmatic vision that combines solidarity, ecology and citizen participation. I want to work with residents to protect our quality of life, support major urban transformations and make the Sud-Ouest a model of a sustainable and inclusive city. – Véronique Fournier, candidate for mayor of Sud-Ouest.
“The Sud-Ouest is a rich and unique area, and I want to help make it even more resilient in the face of environmental and social challenges. My goal is to use my expertise in environmental and urban planning to help residents develop neighborhoods where sustainable mobility, green spaces and inclusion reinforce each other.” – Catherine Houbart, candidate for city councilor in the Saint-Henri–East–Little Burgundy–Pointe-Saint-Charles–Griffintown district.
"As an entrepreneur and father of two young girls, I want to build a borough that reflects our collective aspirations: dynamic, green neighborhoods on a human scale. I am convinced that my experience in innovation and my civic engagement can contribute to creating a Sud-Ouest where every family feels listened to and supported. " – Nicolas Jolicoeur, candidate for borough councilor in the district of Saint-Paul–Émard–Saint-Henri-Ouest.
"The strength of Saint-Henri, Little Burgundy, Pointe-Saint-Charles and Griffintown lies in the people who live there and who promote their culture and solidarity. I want to work alongside residents, my fellow citizens, to promote this diversity and strengthen community ties in order to build an inclusive borough that is united and proud of its identity. – Jonathan Burnham, candidate for borough councilor in the Saint-Henri–Petite-Bourgogne–Pointe-Saint-Charles–Griffintown district.
