Westmount vote 2025:
James Murphy – District 5

WestmountMag.ca invites Westmount City Council candidates to present their platform

WestmountMag.ca extended an invitation to all 25 Westmount council candidates and those acclaimed, to provide an article about themselves and their platform on a first supplied, first published basis. Here we present James Murphy, candidate in District 5.

The articles are reproduced verbatim without corrections.

Dear neighbours,

In August, I announced my candidacy for Westmount City Council because it’s time to build our future.

To do that, we need leaders who listen to everyone – not just the loudest voices. In the last two months, I’ve spoken with hundreds of you about the future of Westmount.

We’re fortunate to live here, but you have confirmed that crumbling infrastructure and public safety are top concerns. I believe we can fix what’s broken, and by promoting growth and economic development, we can do it without major tax increases.

I have made careful note of every bit of feedback you provided. The priority themes I will pursue for Victoria Village are:

Fixing infrastructure, and doing it right the first time. E.g., coordinating lead service line removal, building for climate resilience, supporting the electrification of homes and vehicles, improving the communication of roadworks schedules.
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Safer streets: more frequent Westmount Security patrols and stronger pedestrian safety measures. E.g., crosswalks for Roslyn, traffic calming on Grosvenor and Maisonneuve bike paths, and design reviews of St-Catherine.
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Maintaining Westmount Park and pursuing funding for a community pool through partnerships and incentive zoning. E.g. for Westmount Park, improving the footpath adjacent to the pond, the soccer field, and replacing the derelict greenhouses with new gardens.
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Building new homes to attract young families and allow seniors to age in their community, starting with redevelopment near Atwater and St-Catherine which should include creative use of greenspace.
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Modernizing permitting: make it easier to open a small business or renovate a home. E.g., providing contractor parking passes, using high-quality modern materials appropriately (especially in backyards and private spaces), and improving the online application process. For small businesses, streamline the approval process and allow pubs and wine bars to operate before 11 p.m.

As always, I remain open to your feedback.

As a community organizer, I have brought parents and residents together to push for safer schoolyards and stronger environmental protections. I have learned that political leadership is not the same as technical expertise, democracy isn’t about unanimity, and progress doesn’t always mean perfection. It’s about listening, finding common ground, and building on shared values to make our community better.

As your City Councillor, I’ll do the same. Let’s build a future we are proud of- together.

Sincerely,

James Murphy Candidate for Westmount Council District 5
 james.murphy.westmount@gmail.com

Image: courtesy of James Murphy

Read other candidate platforms