Sterling Downey

Sterling Downey was born and still lives in Verdun for the past 52 years, in the family home that has been in his family for three generations, where his son is now growing up. An entrepreneur and artist rooted in punk and skate culture, he co-founded the Under Pressure urban arts festival in 1996, now the longest-running event of its kind worldwide, recently celebrating 30 years. Through this project, he has championed an inclusive vision of street art, creating collaborative spaces by and for emerging artists. A regular media presence since the early 1990s, he has long campaigned for graffiti to be recognized as a legitimate art form. His committed and unifying stance drew the attention of Projet Montréal, leading to his 2013 election as city councillor for Desmarchais–Crawford, a position he still holds.


At first glance, nothing suggested this tattooed, self-taught, entrepeneur, graffiti artist would enter municipal politics. Yet his unconventional path makes him a natural advocate for youth, artists, and marginalized communities. Approachable and authentic, he has, since his twenties, spoken in schools and given lectures to prevent juvenile crime, encourage mentorship, support educational perseverance, and celebrate all forms of diversity and inclusion. Having himself endured bullying, he urges teens to define themselves on their own terms rather than through social media or peer pressure.


Since his election, Downey has served as Deputy Mayor of Montreal, Vice President of City Council, Vice-Chair of the President’s Commission, and member of the Commission on Social Development and Diversity. He has also sat on the boards of Concertation Montreal and the ABRPPVM. Beyond City Hall, he serves on the boards of Cinema 5 Skatepark in Thunder Bay, Skateboards for Hope, and The Quebec Veterans Foundation; he is also active with the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment of Canada #4 Verdun. At 51, he enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Reservist with the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment of Canada. He is also a very loyal and vocal advocate for our city’s firefighters and their families.


A bilingual elected official, Downey proudly represents Montreal’s English-speaking community while actively promoting French, crediting both languages for shaping his path. His philosophy is embodied in the Verdun skatepark, built in 2015—a project he and friends first championed as teens in 1988: when you speak up, no matter your age or background, you can make a difference. This has led to a wave of outdoor skateparks being constructed across the island of Montreal in the past 10 years.