New party Futur Montréal announces Jean-François Kacou as mayoral candidate

By Rachel Lau Published: August 20, 2025 at 8:09AM EDT

Jean-François Kacou has been named Futur Montréal’s party leader and candidate for mayor of Montreal in the upcoming fall election.
The party, founded this year, says it plans to “do politics differently, with bold ideas, pragmatic solutions and leadership rooted in fairness, accountability and inclusion.”
“This is not just a nomination. This is history,” said Joel DeBellefeuille, co-founder of Futur Montréal. “Jean-François Kacou is a leader of unmatched experience and credibility.”

In a press release, the party boasts Kacou’s accomplishments, including his time as executive director of the City of Percé and executive director of Ensemble Montréal, “where he was one of the principal drafters and oversaw the adoption process of the party’s constitution.”
Kacou also served as an elected member of the executive committee of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and co-authored L’État du Québec 2022, among other accolades.
In 2023, he was recognized in the Senate of Canada during Black History Month for his professional impact and vision.

“With him as leader, our party is not just entering the race. We are ready to redefine Montreal’s future,” DeBellefeuille said.
The Montreal municipal election is slated to take place on Nov. 2.