On November 6, the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation, together with the Secrétariat à la condition féminine, launched the initial phase of the “Je me présente” communications campaign, in preparation for the 2021 municipal general elections. Phase 1 primarily targets women, who are underrepresented on municipal councils. Indeed, in the 2017 municipal elections, they accounted for only 31.3% of candidates.
The main objective of the campaign is therefore to encourage female citizens to run as candidates in municipal elections. The messaging aims to promote a better understanding of the various roles that women can play as elected officials at the municipal level.
The campaign will run until September 2021. Subsequent phases will target young people, followed by the general public.
For more information, visit the campaign website (in French only).
Roles and responsibilities of Élections Québec
The Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation is responsible for the application of the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities, which governs municipal elections. Each municipality’s returning officer is responsible for organizing and holding municipal elections.
The role of Élections Québec is to train and support returning officers in carrying out this mandate, as well as to monitor political financing and election expenses. Elections Québec must also inform the public about certain aspects related to voting and political financing.
