Activist and former CFL player Balarama Holness to run for Montreal mayor

MONTREAL — A community activist and former CFL player is entering the race to become mayor of Montreal.

Balarama Holness announced today he’ll compete for the city’s top job under the banner of his new political party, Movement Montreal.

Holness said in a statement his political movement will seek to unite the city by prioritizing Montrealers’ desires for job security, affordable housing and accessible transportation. 

The 37-year-old is a community activist who launched a petition against systemic racism in 2018 that triggered wide-ranging public consultations on the issue.

Before that, he was a football safety who won a Grey Cup with the Montreal Alouettes in 2010.

Holness will be running against Mayor Valérie Plante and former mayor Denis Coderre ahead of the November election.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2021.

The Canadian Press