Westmount municipal elections November 2, 2025

Twenty five candidates are running for a spot on Council

By Irwin Rapoport

October 23, 2025

The City of Westmount is in the midst of one of its most competitive municipal campaigns in recent memory. Three candidates are vying to succeed Mayor Christina Smith, and seven of the city’s eight council seats are contested. Election signs dot lawns and boulevards ahead of the November 2 vote. Thursday, October 23, the Westmount Municipal Association (WMA) will host a mayoral debate at 7 pm in Victoria Hall. This event promises to draw keen interest from residents eager to hear where the candidates stand.

On October 15, the WMA held a council candidates’ debate at Victoria Hall, attended by over 200 people. All 21 council candidates running in the seven districts attended. Here are videos of the debate, the first featuring council candidates from Districts 1 to 4 and the second from Districts 5 to 8:

For weeks, campaign workers have fanned out across the city. Candidates have been knocking on doors, phoning constituents, and engaging them directly. By voting day, roughly half of Westmount’s residents will likely have met at least one of the candidates, allowing them to judge not only platforms but character, credibility, and vision.

This election occurs amid significant debate over the recently approved Imagine Westmount Southeast Special Planning Programme, which council passed 5 to 3 in September despite more than 1,000 residents petitioning for a deferral until after the election. The matter underscores broader concerns about infrastructure, finances, service delivery, and district-level issues that touch nearly every corner of the city. Many residents are calling for a council that listens more attentively and acts with greater transparency.

In 2021, Mayor Smith was acclaimed, as were Councillors Jeff Shamie (District 3), Conrad Peart (District 4), and Mary Gallery (District 6). This time, only Shamie has been returned without contest.

This election occurs amid significant debate over the recently approved Imagine Westmount Southeast Special Planning Programme, which council passed 5 to 3 in September despite more than 1,000 residents petitioning for a deferral until after the election.

Running for mayor are Mary Gallery, a multi-term councillor for District 6; Lynne Casgrain, a lawyer and former Ombudsperson at the MUHC; and Michael Stern, a chartered accountant. Their names will be among the most scrutinized this campaign season.

In District 1, Councillor Antonio D’Amico faces challenger Pierre Monaghan. District 2, left open by the departure of Elisabeth Roux, has attracted five contenders: Geoffrey Chambers, Jonathan Chomski, Jean-François Emmanuel, Thomas Rolain, and Jessica Winton. Councillor Peart (District 4) faces Gurveen K. Chadha, Lynda Linus, and Massimo Mazza. District 5, where Anitra M. Bostock is stepping down, will see Shawn Moss and James Murphy go head-to-head. Replacing Gallery in District 6 are Jeremy Lee Jonas, Julie Ledoux, and Paul Levine. Gloria Rosado is challenging Councillor Matt Aronson (District 7). In District 8, Kathleen Kez faces Alec Chamlian and Christian Laurin.

Voters can visit the City of Westmount website election page for details on polling station locations, hours, and identification requirements. Westmount Magazine has invited all candidates to submit profiles outlining their backgrounds and priorities to help inform voters’ choices.

Meanwhile, The Corner Booth podcast, by The Gazette, hosted a lively mayoral exchange on October 18 at the Atwater Library. The discussion covered the candidates’ motivations, policy differences, and views on the contentious development file, as well as broader quality-of-life issues.

YouTube video player

That podcast previewed what should be an animated Victoria Hall debate. When the same venue hosted a public consultation earlier this year, more than 200 residents attended. Expect pointed questions on city staffing, infrastructure maintenance, garbage collection, security, and the handling of recent public demonstrations, including those at Westmount Square.

As of now, observers see the mayoral contest as a two-person race between Gallery and Casgrain. Gallery defends the PPU approval, describing it as essential to city progress, while Casgrain argues it should have been postponed. Gallery has accused critics, including former mayor Peter Trent, of misrepresenting facts. Both present themselves as capable and experienced administrators ready to steer Westmount forward – albeit along very different paths. Stern, meanwhile, emphasizes improved citizen service and administrative responsiveness.

‘As of now, observers see the mayoral contest as a two-person race between Gallery and Casgrain. Gallery defends the PPU approval, describing it as essential to city progress, while Casgrain argues it should have been postponed.’

I encourage readers to watch the Corner Booth debate and to attend tonight’s WMA session. The better informed our citizens are, the stronger our democracy becomes. A high turnout ensures accountability, civic pride, and leadership attuned to residents’ genuine needs.

For personal reasons, including recent surgery, I have been unable to canvass as extensively as usual along Sherbrooke, Victoria, and Greene avenues to gauge voter sentiment firsthand. Therefore, I invite readers to share their perspectives in the comments section. Your insights bring this election narrative to life.

The stakes are high. This vote will determine whether Westmount continues on a familiar course, embraces a new direction, or pursues a balance of continuity and reform. Whatever your views, take the time to cast your ballot – and, if possible, drive a neighbour to the polls. Engaged citizens are the bedrock of effective local government.

Let us make November 2 a milestone in civic participation, setting a new benchmark for turnout and engagement in Westmount’s democratic life.

Other articles by Irwin Rapoport
Other recent articles

Irwin Rapoport is a freelance journalist and community advocate from Westmount with bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science from Concordia University. He writes extensively on local politics, education, and environmental issues, and promotes informed public discourse and local democracy through his writing and activism.