After more than a decade in municipal politics, Laurence Lavigne Lalonde, borough mayor of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, has announced she is stepping down and will not seek re-election this fall. Her departure, confirmed in a social media statement on May 9, marks the end of a polarizing mandate — particularly in the Parc-Extension district, where several of her initiatives were met with strong community resistance.
Lavigne Lalonde, 41, stated she is leaving “with head held high and the sense of duty fulfilled,” reflecting on her 12-year journey that began as a city councillor in 2013. She became borough mayor in 2021 under the Projet Montréal banner and also served on the city’s executive committee, overseeing portfolios such as ecological transition and urban agriculture.
In her farewell message, she explained her decision to leave politics not as a retreat, but as a pivot:
“I’m leaving because I want to do more, to do things differently — and that’s what I’ll be exploring in the months ahead,” she wrote.
She expressed pride in her accomplishments, particularly citing her role in developing Montreal’s first climate plan and implementing regulatory protections for tenants. In Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, she pointed to the creation of 15 kilometers of protected cycling infrastructure and numerous “green and safe” community spaces as tangible improvements.
But in Parc-Extension, one of Montreal’s most densely populated and economically marginalized neighbourhoods, her progressive urban vision often clashed with local realities.
The Bike Lane Backlash
Chief among the controversies was the rollout of protected bike lanes on key streets such as Querbes Avenue, de l’Épée, and Ball Avenue — corridors that previously accommodated hundreds of on-street parking spots. The removal of an estimated 250 spaces sparked intense backlash from residents and small business owners, many of whom said the changes were imposed without genuine community consultation.
A coalition of residents even filed a legal challenge against the borough, arguing that the plan failed to consider the unique socio-economic conditions of Parc-Extension, where many families rely on cars for work, errands, and caregiving. Seniors, people with disabilities, and newcomers — who make up a significant portion of the neighbourhood — reported increased difficulty navigating their daily routines.
The borough, under Lavigne Lalonde’s leadership, defended the move, citing long-term environmental and safety goals.
“These bike lanes were not a whim. They came from years of mobility studies and consultations. Parc-Ex deserves the same level of infrastructure as other parts of the city,” she told media during the controversy.
Still, the public outcry was not easily quelled. Protests were held, signs were defaced, and at least two confrontations involving cyclists and residents made headlines. Borough council meetings became battlegrounds for dueling visions of urban mobility — one centered on active transportation and climate goals, the other on survival and practicality in a neighborhood with little room to spare.
A Divisive Legacy
For supporters, Lavigne Lalonde represented the face of a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious administration determined to modernize outdated infrastructure, even in the face of resistance. For critics, she symbolized a top-down approach to urban planning that ignored the lived experience of vulnerable communities.
In her statement, the mayor acknowledged both the collaboration and the conflict:
“I am grateful that, together, we dreamed of greener, safer, livelier neighbourhoods. We fought against inequity and built things — even when it was hard, even when we disagreed,” she wrote.
Her party leader, Projet Montréal chief Luc Rabouin, paid tribute to her contributions, calling her “a close colleague with whom I share many affinities” and suggesting that she would have played a significant role in a future administration.
But as the borough turns the page, the question remains: will her successor continue the path she charted, or seek to mend the rift with those who felt sidelined?
In Parc-Extension, the answer may depend on whether City Hall truly listens — not just to visions of sustainability, but to the communities caught in the middle of the transformation.
