Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante nominated the first black woman to be the president of the Montreal city council during the Executive Committee meeting Thursday morning, the first of Plante’s second term.
Martine Musau Muele is a city councilor for Villeray-St-Michel-Parc Extension. She is the ninth person to hold the position.
The speaker’s role is to ensure councilors respect and adhere to all council rules, regulations, and protocols.
“All my experiences have prepared me for this position,” said Musau Muele. “I understand the different problems that will be raised in the House.”
The lawyer is the founder of the boutique firm “Muele”, specialized in public policy and administrative law.
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The University of Ottawa graduate was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and has held managerial positions in two municipalities inside and outside of Montreal.
“I think it’s important to keep in mind that because of the role it plays, to be very understanding about how the administration works and also to make sure to stay neutral,” he told Global News.
He said his number one priority is working collaboratively with all 65 city councilors, regardless of their political party.
“We have a responsibility to open the house to the people of Montréal. This is the citizen’s house. So I’ll make sure that is reflected in everything we do as well. “
Musau Muele is only nominated at the moment. Elected officials have to vote on their appointment at the first city council meeting of the new term on Monday.
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Ensemble Montreal opposition leader Aref Salem congratulated her nomination, fueling confidence that she will be officially named a speaker on Monday.
“He’s experienced, he’s got what it takes for the position,” Salem said. “We are not going to oppose just to oppose us.”
However, he said before Plante’s announcement on Thursday, “we would like at least to be consulted on this nomination.”
“It wasn’t the case, but I’ll still keep doing the job. I will continue to work together with the administration, ”Salem said.
He hopes in future decisions similar to this, that the opposition will be consulted.
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Reference-globalnews.ca