The 2021 Municipal Elections in Québec and its aftermath: a turning point?

Abstract

Long overshadowed by other levels of government, Québec municipal politics has undergone a major revival in recent years. This short article focuses on the 2021 municipal elections were presented in the media as the scene of a “new wave”, as a new class of younger, more politicized politicians emerged, several of them have won in major cities. The results suggest a renewal in various aspects of Québec's municipal landscape. However, the post-election period has proven challenging, both in terms of relations with the provincial government and the difficulties faced by newly elected officials. These developments raise the following question: does this election cycle represent a real “turning point” in Québec municipal politics?