Soraya Martinez Ferrada will be Montreal's next mayor

After her victory Sunday night, she emphasized her slogan "Listen and Act" – a response to criticism of Projet Montreal that it had not consulted residents.

"We listened to you on issues of homelessness, housing, sanitation, mobility, and safety on Camillien-Hood [Street]," she said on stage at TOHU, a performing arts venue in Montreal's east end where she used to work.

"I promise you, we will be an administration that listens to understand, listens to act, and listens to build Montreal with you."

Martinez Ferrada thanked Plante for paving a new path by becoming the city's first female mayor and then acknowledged that Montrealers had sent a "powerful message" by electing a racially diverse woman.

"We are here tonight because thousands of Montrealers believe in a better city—a city that truly belongs to everyone," she said.

Her opponent, Luc Raboin, announced that he was resigning as leader of his party, Projet Montréal.

Martinez Ferrada came to Montreal as a political refugee in 1980, when she was only eight years old, fleeing the Pinochet dictatorship.

The former MP is the second woman to become mayor of the city, after outgoing Mayor Valérie Plante. She resigned from Justin Trudeau's Liberal government in February, shortly after which she announced her candidacy for the leadership of Ensemble Montréal.

In her resignation letter to Trudeau, Martinez Ferrada said, "The desire to serve the city that welcomed a young refugee from Chile, to serve the city that gave me my start in politics, is so important to me that I cannot ignore it."

• A look at the mayoral elections in Montreal's 18 boroughs

The last time a leader of Ensemble Montreal was elected mayor was in 2013, when another former Liberal MP, Denis Coderre, was at the helm of the party.

The last time a leader of Ensemble Montreal was elected mayor was in 2013, when another former Liberal MP, Denis Coderre, was at the helm of the party.

"Tonight, thousands of citizens have voted for a fairer and more beautiful Montreal with Projet Montreal." Green City. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for victory, and I take full responsibility for this defeat," Rabouin said.

"I gave it my all, but it wasn't enough."

In a social media post, Plante congratulated Martinez Ferrada, saying she and her team would fully cooperate with the new administration and ensure an "efficient transition."

Plante, who was absent from Projet Montréal election headquarters on Sunday, said her "political family" ran a campaign she could be proud of. She thanked Rabouin and said he "embodies the party's values."