By Matthew Daldalian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As voters in Deux-Montagnes prepare for the municipal election, Mayor Denis Martin is pointing to 12 years of work on financial stability, flood protection, and community development as the foundation of his campaign for another term.
Financial turnaround
When Martin took office in 2013, he said the city was in financial difficulty. His administration prioritized debt reduction and balanced budgets, which he argues restored confidence in City Hall. “We turned the city around to be a better financial solidity,” he said.
That financial stability, he adds, made it possible to pursue major infrastructure investments and eventually secure grants from higher levels of government.
Flood protection
Flooding in 2017 left a strong mark on the city. Martin’s administration partnered with Quebec and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) on a pilot project to improve resilience. The program delivered a new dike, stormwater basins and other measures meant to protect homes from rising water.
“Now it’s functioning very well,” Martin said, pointing to recent storms where damage was limited. A new basin is also planned within two years to further strengthen defenses.
Mayor Denis Martin in his office on September 3 2025 (Matthew Daldalian, North Shore News)
Community identity
For Martin, civic pride has been another focus. He said residents today identify more directly with their city than they did a decade ago. “Most citizens are telling me they’re proud to say they come from Deux-Montagnes,” he said.
His administration has added new parks and free family activities, and according to him, aims to make the city attractive for young families. In 2019, publications like Maclean’s ranked Deux-Montagnes among the best Canadian cities to raise children, something Martin views as validation of that effort.
Growth and density
The city’s growth has created new pressures. Provincial directives required densification near the commuter rail line, and the town’s urban plan was updated to allow taller buildings around stations while keeping most neighbourhoods low-rise.
“For a quiet suburb, it’s quite a shock for many of our residents,” Martin acknowledged. Still, he said the city was able to preserve about 70 per cent of its housing stock as bungalows.
Residents have also raised growing concerns about traffic, especially as nearby municipalities expand. With only a few exits to Autoroute 640, congestion has become a daily issue. Martin said the city is pressing the province for fixes while adding local connections to relieve pressure.
Public transit and the REM
The REM commuter system is set to begin service soon later this year, replacing the old Deux-Montagnes train line that was among the busiest in the Montreal area. Service interruptions since 2020 have forced residents to rely on shuttle buses and longer commutes.
Martin said the return of rail service will be welcome. The REM will run 20 hours a day, with trains every 10 minutes, and will be fed by nine new bus routes from surrounding towns. But he also noted that the densification tied to the project has been one of the community’s biggest adjustments.
Climate and infrastructure
Martin points to climate resilience as another key part of his record. He argues the flood-control measures are not only protecting homes but also reducing pollution by limiting runoff into the lake. “We’re really for climate change. We’re getting on the right track,” he said.
Looking ahead, he has promised to re-engineer key corridors like 8th and 15th Avenues to reduce congestion and improve safety. With the city almost fully built out, most of the work will focus on redeveloping existing areas and updating streets to meet today’s needs.
The campaign ahead
Martin is emphasizing continuity: cautious finances, steady investments, and an experienced team to manage change. “The experience we have had here for many years is to have plans,” he said.
While challenges remain— traffic, growth pressures and climate adaptation among them— Martin argues that he’s positioned himself to face them with solid footing. The question for voters is whether that record is enough to carry him into another term.
