In Gatineau, Quebec, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette secured a re-election victory as mayor in a closely contested race against a fellow council member. Marquis-Bissonnette obtained 51.1% of the total vote with 41,569 votes, while Mario Aubé, a councilor from Masson-Angers, trailed behind with 47% of the vote from 38,203 votes.
Expressing her gratitude in French during her victory speech, Marquis-Bissonnette acknowledged the challenging competition and emphasized the ongoing work ahead. Elected approximately 17 months ago in a by-election following the resignation of former mayor France Bélisle, Marquis-Bissonnette leads the Action Gatineau party.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Marquis-Bissonnette focused on proposed investments in transit, environmental initiatives, and the development of 1,500 new affordable housing units. Both Marquis-Bissonnette and Aubé, who led the Team Mario Aubé party, committed to managing municipal taxes and fees effectively.
As the race concluded, Aubé conceded to Marquis-Bissonnette, recognizing the choice made by the people of Gatineau. Independent candidate Rémi Bergeron is expected to finish a distant third with about 1.9% of the votes.
Technical difficulties led to extended voting hours in Gatineau, with polls remaining open until 8:30 p.m. Turnout reached around 41%, higher than the previous mayoral by-election’s 33%. Preliminary results suggest the Action Gatineau party, led by Marquis-Bissonnette, is poised for a slight majority on the council with 11 seats compared to Team Mario Aubé’s seven and one independent councillor.
Coun. Caroline Murray, representing Deschênes, highlighted the importance of collaboration within city hall, emphasizing the need to work alongside all elected councillors. The Action Gatineau party secured multiple council seats across various districts, indicating a diverse representation within the city’s governance structure.