Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante is reported to be in good health. However, she will need to adjust her schedule in the next few days. This follows her collapse on Tuesday morning during a press conference at City Hall.
Plante spoke and answered questions for about 15 minutes before the incident. Despite this, she didn’t show any obvious signs of illness.
Afterward, Plante responded to a question about homelessness in the city. She suddenly paused for a few seconds and then fell to the ground. Even though she was conscious, her team quickly surrounded her. Moreover, they also told reporters to stop recording.
In addition, even though they called an ambulance to City Hall for Plante, she didn’t need to go to the hospital. The mayor’s press attache, Catherine Cadotte, confirmed that paramedics examined her. Afterward, she was starting to feel better.
As a result, Mayor Plante will gradually reduce her duties in the coming days. Additionally, she will be absent from the Ville-Marie borough council meeting on Tuesday as a precaution. Furthermore, the mayor expressed gratitude to Cadotte for understanding and assistance.
Plante mentioned that she wouldn’t be able to attend the Ville-Marie borough council meeting on Tuesday night. However, she added that her colleagues would be taking over for her. Plante also expressed gratitude to everyone for their support.
About Valérie Plante
Valérie Plante, a Canadian politician, was born on June 14, 1974. She has been the 45th mayor of Montreal since 2017. Subsequently, in December 2016, she took over the leadership of the Projet Montréal party. This happened after her initial election to the Montreal City Council in 2013.
Moreover, on November 5, 2017, Plante assumed the role of Mayor of Montreal. She achieved this by running as Projet Montréal’s mayoral candidate in the 2017 municipal election. Her historic win marked her as the first female mayor elected in Montreal.
Plante, born in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, spent a year in North Bay, Ontario, studying English as a teenager. Subsequently, in 1994, she moved to Montreal to pursue higher education. Furthermore, she completed her degrees in anthropology in 1997 and museology in 2001 at the Université de Montréal. Afterward, she worked for several non-profit institutions.
On November 5, 2017, Valérie Plante made history by becoming Montreal’s first elected female mayor in the city’s 375-year history. Her victory was a significant milestone. Subsequently, many were surprised by her unexpected victory over the incumbent mayor, Denis Coderre. He was a former federal Liberal MP and cabinet minister.
Valérie Plante, Montreal Mayor, Safe after Collapsing at News Conference
In the Hall d’honneur on the second floor of city hall, Plante addressed a microphone during her weekly press conference. She was answering a question from a journalist. Suddenly, in the middle of her statement, she stopped speaking.
Simultaneously, she pivoted and took a seat on the stage. Her assistants rushed to her side. Additionally, within minutes, they helped her walk to an elevator.
The mayor of Montréal, Valérie Plante, subsequently regained consciousness after fainting in a Tuesday press conference on homelessness.
While answering media questions, there was a brief but extended delay before she knelt. Simultaneously, professionals attended to Plante while she remained conscious.
Additionally, an order was given to on-site media to stop recording. This led to the cancellation of the news conference. Plante stood up with assistance and left the area.
A representative for the mayor conveyed to Global News that Plante was safe. Additionally, she will receive the necessary medical attention.
Plante’s X Account Update
In a statement on Plante’s X account, she reassured the public about her well-being. Furthermore, the mayor of Montreal explained that she had a brief episode of vertigo at a news conference. However, she is thankfully safe at this time.
Additionally, she is grateful for our support and will receive the necessary medical care.
She stated in her full message:
She felt uneasy during a press conference this morning. Fortunately, she is better. Additionally, she thanked everyone for their support. She met with a medical team and doing well.
As a preventive measure and to fully recover, she needs to reduce her activities in the coming days. Moreover, she will be absent from the Ville-Marie borough council meeting this evening. Her elected colleagues in Ville-Marie will take over.
Top Figures Extend Well Wishes to Valérie Plante
Plante received a flood of support on social media after the incident. Notably, Premier François Legault of Quebec and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended their well wishes.
“I’m thinking of you, Valérie. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Trudeau responded to her post on X.
“Glad you’re doing well. Wishing you a speedy recovery!” added Legault.
On social media, Aref Salem, Ensemble Montréal’s opposition leader, conveyed his concern for the mayor. He expressed that his thoughts are with the mayor. This follows the discomfort she experienced during her press conference this morning. He also added, “I hope you rapidly get back into shape.”
