Jennifer Maccarone presents the Medal of the Member of the National Assembly to former Westmount mayor
August 7, 2026
Jennifer Maccarone, MNA for Westmount–Saint-Louis, proudly presented the Medal of the Member of the National Assembly to Karin Marks during a ceremony held at Victoria Hall on August 6. The distinction recognizes Ms. Marks’ exceptional leadership and her decades of service to the Westmount–Saint-Louis community.
Over the course of a remarkable career, Karin Marks has profoundly influenced municipal governance, education and community development. Beginning in the 1970s, she helped foster new educational approaches by participating in the creation of MIND, one of Montreal’s first alternative high schools. By supporting innovative, open, student-centred learning methods, she helped create new opportunities for young people in the city, particularly those who did not identify with traditional educational models.
Karin Marks has profoundly influenced municipal governance, education and community development throughout a remarkable career.
Her commitment continued at the municipal level when she was elected to Westmount City Council in 1991. For ten years, this meticulous and pragmatic councillor devoted herself to responsible governance, civic engagement and urban quality-of-life issues. In 2001, she became mayor, taking the helm of the City at a pivotal time in its history. Her tenure at the head of Westmount coincided with the Quebec government’s sweeping, imposed municipal-merger initiative, followed by the demerger process through which the City regained its independent municipal status.
Hands off my city
During Montreal’s so-called megacity period, Karin Marks served as borough president of Westmount. She represented her community within the structures of the new municipal government and sat on commissions dealing with democratic practice on council, as well as culture and heritage. She became a firm advocate for independent elected officials, defending their right to participate fully in decisions affecting the City. In her view, the merger weakened local democracy, diluted accountability and reduced residents’ ability to influence neighbourhood services and priorities.
At the same time, she played a key role in the movement opposing the municipal mergers, notably through the grassroots Hands off my city campaign. While former mayor Peter Trent led the public battle against the merger, Karin Marks ensured Westmount’s institutional representation within the megacity. She appeared before the National Assembly during consultations on Bill 9, which established the referendum process for demergers. She championed a vision of local governance based on proximity, accountability and municipal autonomy, arguing that citizens must be able to decide the future of their own city.
‘In her view, the merger weakened local democracy, diluted accountability and reduced residents’ ability to influence neighbourhood services and priorities.’
In June 2004, Westmount residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of demerger, and the City officially regained its status as an independent municipality on January 1, 2006. Karin Marks then became the first mayor of the reconstituted city, a position she held until 2009. Her contribution to this crucial chapter in Westmount’s political history—marked by the defence of municipal autonomy and the preservation of the community’s distinct character—is widely recognized today.
Public service
After leaving municipal politics, Karin Marks continued her public-service work by serving on the board of Revenu Québec from 2010 to 2019, including on its human-resources and customer-service committees. She also joined the board of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and served on its Governance and Ethics Committee, contributing to discussions of best practices in transparency, accountability and public-service management. Her expertise in public policy, governance and human-resources development has also benefited Dawson College and the Atwater Library, where she has held board positions.
Today, although she has left active political life, Karin Marks remains deeply involved with community organizations. She continues to devote time and energy to the Old Brewery Mission, a leading organization in the fight against homelessness in Montreal. Her involvement reflects a broad understanding of public service that reaches beyond institutions and elected office.
At the ceremony at Victoria Hall, Ms. Marks was joined by family members, friends, colleagues and Westmount elected officials who gathered to recognize her extensive record of service. Jennifer Maccarone emphasized the inspiration her career offers to present and future generations: “Karin Marks has dedicated her life to building stronger communities through public service, education and leadership. Her work has left an enduring mark on Westmount and beyond, inspiring generations of community leaders. It is a privilege to recognize her extraordinary contributions with the Medal of the Member of the National Assembly.”
‘Jennifer Maccarone emphasized the inspiration that Ms. Marks’ career offers to present and future generations.’
Speaking at the event, Karin Marks stressed the collective character of meaningful social change: “Receiving this honour is deeply meaningful. Throughout my career, I have believed that lasting change comes from people working together in service of their community. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute alongside colleagues, volunteers and friends who are equally dedicated.”
The Medal of the Member of the National Assembly is the highest distinction an MNA may award to a citizen. It recognizes individuals whose commitment, leadership and sense of service have made an exceptional contribution to their community and to Quebec. In Karin Marks’ case, the medal honours a lifetime of work devoted to education, public governance and community development, as well as her deeply held conviction that local democracy, civic action and solidarity can truly transform cities and lives.
Feature image courtesy of the MNA for Westmount–Saint-Louis, Jennifer Maccarone
