Municipal election: what the candidates have to say in the hotly contested race in Hampstead

As cities across the province get ready to go to the polls this fall, one hotly contested race to watch is in the town of Hampstead.

There are three candidates up for the top job, including the former and current mayor.

Hampstead’s electorate is unique in Canada says its mayor, Jeremy Levi.

“We have the highest concentration of Jews per capita of any municipality outside Israel,” he says.

• MORE COVERAGE: Montreal municipal election 2025

It’s also a wealthy town, with quiet, tree-lined streets that has its own set of challenges.

“We are 100 per cent residential. We have no commerce, we have no industry, and we’re fully developed. A big part is making sure that the wheel is constantly turned and it’s well oiled,” Levi said, but complains that half its taxes have to be remitted to the City of Montreal for shared services, leaving little room to control its budget.

“We are able to repave approximately 5 per cent of our roads every year and the average lifespan of the roads are approximately 15 to 17 years. And if you think about it, the math doesn’t add up that we’re on top of where we need to be.”

Levi’s decision to run for a second term is pitting him against his predecessor William Steinberg, who was defeated after 16 years as mayor and wants his old job back.

“When I was mayor, tax increases, local tax increases were below inflation every single year. Now, they are above inflation every single year. And it’s not just taxes. They raised all the fees,” he said.

Steinberg is also against bylaw changes he says are opening the door to oversized homes, and the destruction of green spaces. He made it his first promise.

Steinberg says change hasn’t benefited Hampstead.

“We’re going to pass a bylaw that protects all our parks and greenspaces,” he said.

There’s also a third candidate, Jack Edery, a long-time city councillor and a former ally of Levi. Edery says he’s not happy with Levi’s style.

“I think (Levi) views the mayorship as more of a CEO-type position where it’s the top level and you delegate the vision to staff to execute, and I think in a small town like Hampstead we need more of a hands-on mayor,” he said.

“I have nothing but respect for Mayor Levi. I really do. His heart’s in the right place. We just have a different kind of view,” he added.

Edery says he wants to rebuild Hampstead’s tense relationship with Montreal, which he says is paralyzing cooperation.

One street, Ellerdale, is in bad need of repairs but Montreal doesn’t want Hampstead to dig because it could damage an old watermain.

“We need to be able to find like-minded at Montreal City Hall,” says Edery.

But the elephant in the room in the campaign is mayor Jeremy Levi’s personal involvement in the war of words over the Israel-Hamas war — an issue he says is important in Hampstead, but is also a divisive one.

Levi’s social media feed includes open support for Israel, strong criticism of pro-Palestinian activists, criticism of Mayor Valerie Plante over her tolerance of pro-Palestinian activists in her administration. But his attacks also target other Jewish politicians, including local MP Anthony Housefather, for not defending Israel’s war in Gaza.

In recent comments on X, formerly Twitter, Levi criticized Canadians for not speaking out in support of controversial right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was murdered on Sept. 10.

“I wouldn’t call it divisive. I would call it moral clarity.” says the mayor.

“If we are not going to be on the front-lines advocating for justice, then why should we expect somebody else to?” he said.

Steinberg says he shares Levi’s concerns, but worries the personal attacks are hurting Hampstead.

“How are we going to deal with our MP when we need more grants? And how is Hampstead going to deal with Montreal when we need them … how is this going to happen when you keep attacking them? That’s the problem," the former mayor said.

Edery is more diplomatic. He says Levi speaks for himself, not the city. He says he prefers dialogue over confrontation.

“You talk to (Montrealers) and you reason with them, they’re more likely to hear you. I think it serves the best interests of the residents,” said Edery about Levi’s social media comments.

The election debate is barely starting in Hampstead but the results will be closely watched come November.