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MICHELLE SETLAKWE

Mayoral Candidate

Michelle Setlakwe, of Armenian and French Canadian descent, grew up in Thetford Mines in a family of retail merchants.  Michelle moved to Montreal in 1992 to attend law school at Université de Montréal. She moved to the Town of Mount Royal in 2000 and purchased a home with her husband on Chester Avenue in 2002. This is where they have been raising their children - now aged 14, 16 and 18 (as well as her husband’s older children).  They chose TMR for its services, the local schools and green spaces. All 6 Fortier kids attended the French local elementary schools: École Saint-Clément and Académie Saint-Clément. 

 

Having been municipal councillor for five years, Michelle announced she will be a candidate for mayor of TMR in the November 7, 2021 election. Under the United for TMR - Team Setlakwe party banner, Michelle has recruited a team of energetic candidates from a variety of backgrounds, each having a tremendous track record of volunteer work and community involvement. 

 

Michelle has made physical activity and fitness an important part of her routine for many years. In addition to being an avid skier, she enjoys running, spinning and strength training at the gym with friends.

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INTEREST IN MUNICIPAL POLITICS

Michelle’s involvement in the local French public schools, her children’s participation in many Town sports and activities and use of Town facilities over the years, and her strong sense of community, led her to get involved in municipal politics:

 

  • elected to city council in the June 2016 by-election in district 5 

  • reelected as councillor for district 5 in the November 2017 general municipal elections

 

Since 2016, Michelle has been in touch with many different groups of residents in the context of her role as a councillor. She is known for her hands-on and transparent approach and has acquired a deep understanding of our community and its social fabric. She loves her role as an elected official. It allows her to be at the heart of the community and to have a tangible positive impact in the day-to-day lives of her constituents. Accompanied by her strong and dynamic team, the listening skills, empathy and thoroughness that Michelle has demonstrated over the last few years will continue to guide her and inspire the actions and decisions she hopes to take in her new role.

 

As part of her role as municipal councillor, Michelle has learned a great deal in the past few years, which have allowed her to become deeply involved in a wide variety of files affecting our community:

 

  • chaired the YES committee for the sports and community centre;

  • chairs the Town’s demolition committee (which carefully reviews and rules on requests for demolition permits of buildings in the Town);

  • member of the Pension Fund Commission for the TMR Employees' Pension Plan;

  • chairs the yearly Townschool Council, which gives 12 sixth-year students from our Town primary schools the opportunity to run for office, be elected and join Town elected officials in order to carry out a project that changes from year to year;

  • introducing healthy snacks in the Town’s municipal buildings;

  • advocating for various eco-friendly initiatives; and 

  • advocating for several safety measures implemented by the Town aimed at reducing speed on our streets.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

During the decade she practised corporate law at one of Canada’s leading law firms, Michelle was involved in complex, multi-layered transactions which allowed her to develop a skill set which she has applied to various files and responsibilities since joining TMR’s municipal council in 2016.

VOLUNTEER WORK / ASSOCIATIONS

Michelle is community focused.  As a mother of three, she has given back to the community through volunteer citizen involvement:

 

  • Fondation Saint-Clément  - member and chair for 7 years

  • CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, an institution very close to her family’s heart

  • Fondation du Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf

EDUCATION / AWARDS & RECOGNITION  

  • Bachelor of law from Université de Montréal.

  • Member of the Quebec Bar since 1996.

  • Prix France Racicot 2018-2019 – recognition for many years volunteering at Saint-Clément Schools.

  • Prix France Racicot 2012 – team recognition for involvement with Fondation Saint-Clément 

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