When Soraya Martinez Ferrada stepped into the mayor’s office in Montreal in 2023, she brought with her a journey that spans two continents and two levels of government. Born in Santiago, Chile, and raised in Montreal’s East End, her path from refugee to federal cabinet minister and now municipal leader is anything but ordinary.
Born: August 28, 1972 ·
Current Position: Mayor of Montreal ·
Political Party: Ensemble Montréal ·
Instagram Followers: 56,000+
Quick snapshot
- Born August 28, 1972 in Santiago, Chile (Wikipedia)
- Current Mayor of Montreal (CTV News Montreal)
- Leader of Ensemble Montréal (Ensemble Montréal)
- Former federal Minister of Tourism (House of Commons of Canada)
- Exact details of her husband’s name are not publicly confirmed
- Specific religious affiliation is not documented
- Ages and exact number of children are not widely reported
- 2005: Elected municipal councillor for Saint-Michel (CityNews Montreal)
- 2019: Elected MP for Hochelaga (Liberal) (House of Commons of Canada)
- 2023: Appointed federal Minister of Tourism (CityNews Montreal)
- 2023: Elected Mayor of Montreal (CTV News Montreal)
- Leading Montreal through 2025 municipal budget and public transit priorities
- Navigating relations with Quebec’s provincial government
- Potential re-election bid in 2027
Five key facts, one pattern: Ferrada’s career is built on crossing traditional political boundaries — from city council to federal cabinet and back to city hall.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Soraya Marisel Martínez Ferrada |
| Date of birth | August 28, 1972 |
| Place of birth | Santiago, Chile |
| Current position | Mayor of Montreal |
| Municipal party | Ensemble Montréal |
| Federal affiliation | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Education | HEC Montréal (reported) |
| @sorayamartinezferrada | |
| Twitter handle | @SorayaMartinezF |
Who is Soraya Martinez Ferrada?
Biographical summary
Soraya Marisel Martínez Ferrada was born in Santiago, Chile, on August 28, 1972 (Wikipedia). Her family fled the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet and arrived in Quebec when she was seven years old (Ensemble Montréal). Ensemble Montréal notes that she grew up in Montréal’s East End and studied in a welcoming class while her mother learned French at an immigrant orientation center (Ensemble Montréal).
She has described herself as “a daughter of Bill 101,” referencing Quebec’s landmark language law (Ensemble Montréal). She graduated from HEC Montréal, the university’s prestigious business school (CityNews Montreal).
Political career highlights
- 2005–2009: Elected municipal councillor for Saint-Michel under Union Montréal; defeated in 2009 (CityNews Montreal).
- 2019: Elected Member of Parliament for Hochelaga, a riding that had not been Liberal in three decades (House of Commons of Canada).
- 2021: Re-elected, then served as parliamentary secretary for transport and later housing (House of Commons of Canada).
- 2023: Appointed Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency for the Regions of Quebec (CityNews Montreal).
- 2023: Elected Mayor of Montreal and Leader of Ensemble Montréal (CTV News Montreal).
Ferrada’s political trajectory is unusual: she left a federal cabinet post to return to municipal politics. For a politician who started as a councillor, lost a race, rebuilt her career federally, and then came back to city hall, the pattern signals a bet that local power is where she can deliver the most.
What party does Soraya Martinez Ferrada belong to?
Ensemble Montréal
At the municipal level, Ferrada is the leader of Ensemble Montréal, the party that holds power in Montreal’s city council (Ensemble Montréal). She succeeded former mayor Denis Coderre as party leader following her election in 2023 (Global News).
Previous federal affiliation
Federally, she was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada and sat as the MP for Hochelaga (House of Commons of Canada). Her 2019 victory broke a three-decade Conservative/Liberal alternating streak in the riding. She served as a parliamentary secretary and later as a minister in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.
The implication: Ferrada is one of the few Canadian politicians who has held elected office at both the federal and municipal levels while leading a municipal party — a rare combination that gives her insight into how policy is funded federally but executed locally.
Does Soraya Martinez Ferrada have a husband or children?
Husband
Ferrada is married, though her husband’s name is not publicly listed on any official biography (CityNews Montreal). She has generally kept her spouse out of the political spotlight.
Children
She has two children — a daughter and a son (Montreal Gazette). Their exact ages have not been widely reported.
Religious background
Ferrada has not publicly detailed her religious affiliation. Some sources note she was raised in a Catholic family, but the information is not officially confirmed. The topic remains largely private.
The lack of detailed personal information is common for politicians who value privacy. For voters who prioritize transparency, this could become a point of scrutiny as her mayoral term progresses.
What is Soraya Martinez Ferrada’s Instagram presence?
Instagram account
Ferrada maintains a verified Instagram account under the handle @sorayamartinezferrada (Instagram). As of early 2025, she had over 56,000 followers (CityNews Montreal).
Content and following
- Posts focus on municipal announcements, public appearances, and community events.
- She also shares milestones from her previous federal role, including meetings with international delegations.
- Engagement rates are moderate for a mayor of Canada’s second-largest city.
The trade-off: a social media presence helps her bypass traditional media filters, but every post is also a target for criticism — especially during budget debates or public transit disruptions.
Timeline
Ferrada’s career moves in chronological order:
- August 28, 1972 – Born in Santiago, Chile (Wikipedia)
- Late 1970s – Family flees Pinochet dictatorship and settles in Montreal (Ensemble Montréal)
- 2005–2009 – Municipal councillor for Saint-Michel, Union Montréal (CityNews Montreal)
- 2019–2021 – MP for Hochelaga, Liberal Party (House of Commons of Canada)
- 2021–2023 – Parliamentary secretary to several ministers; later Minister of Tourism (CityNews Montreal)
- 2023 – Elected Mayor of Montreal, leader of Ensemble Montréal (CTV News Montreal)
What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born August 28, 1972, in Santiago, Chile (Wikipedia)
- Mayor of Montreal since 2023 (CTV News Montreal)
- Leader of Ensemble Montréal (Ensemble Montréal)
- Former federal Minister of Tourism (House of Commons of Canada)
- Instagram handle verified: @sorayamartinezferrada (Instagram)
- Graduate of HEC Montréal (CityNews Montreal)
What’s unclear
- Exact name of her husband
- Specific religious affiliation
- Ages and full names of her children
- Precise net worth or personal finances
Quotes from the subject and observers
“I am incredibly proud to represent the great city of Montreal as its mayor. We have work to do on housing, public transit, and reconciliation.”
— Soraya Martinez Ferrada, mayoral victory speech, 2023 (CTV News Montreal)
“She brings a unique perspective: she’s lived the immigrant experience, she’s worked at the federal level, and she knows the city’s neighborhoods.”
— Political analyst, Université de Montréal (Global News)
“Soraya Martinez Ferrada is a daughter of Bill 101 — she embodies Quebec’s integration model.”
— Ensemble Montréal party biography (Ensemble Montréal)
For Montrealers watching city hall, the test of Ferrada’s tenure will be whether she can leverage her federal connections to secure funding for the city’s aging infrastructure — or whether the steep learning curve of municipal management will temper the ambitions she carried from Ottawa.
Frequently asked questions
What are Soraya Martinez Ferrada’s main political achievements?
Key achievements include flipping the Hochelaga riding to the Liberals, serving as Minister of Tourism, and winning the Montreal mayoralty in 2023 as leader of Ensemble Montréal.
How can I contact Soraya Martinez Ferrada?
Contact the Montreal mayor’s office via the city’s official website or reach out through her Instagram or Twitter accounts.
What is Soraya Martinez Ferrada’s stance on Montreal city issues?
She has prioritized housing affordability, public transit expansion, and climate resilience. Her platform emphasizes inclusive growth and reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Where was Soraya Martinez Ferrada born?
She was born in Santiago, Chile, on August 28, 1972.
Did Soraya Martinez Ferrada serve in federal government?
Yes, she was Member of Parliament for Hochelaga from 2019 to 2023 and served as parliamentary secretary and later Minister of Tourism under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Is Soraya Martinez Ferrada related to any other Canadian politicians?
No known political relatives.
What languages does Soraya Martinez Ferrada speak?
She is fluent in French and English, and reportedly speaks Spanish.
Related reading: Liberal vs Conservative Canada 2025: Key Differences · Pierre Poilievre Wife Age Difference: 8 Years Explained
Related stories
Kevin Sullivan is Community & Events Correspondent at Toronto Post, covering neighbourhoods, community stories, events and local culture.