By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Raïs Kibonge, municipal councillor for the Lac-des-Nations district, officially declared his candidacy for the leadership of Sherbrooke Citoyen during a press conference Sept. 5. Kibonge, a prominent figure within the party, made the announcement surrounded by three of his colleagues from the party’s caucus, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and community involvement in his leadership vision.
“I am launching this campaign because I firmly believe in our team, and together we can continue to achieve great things for Sherbrooke,” said Kibonge, speaking to an engaged crowd at Marché de la Gare. He also expressed his desire for Sherbrooke Citoyen to keep growing and mobilizing residents around key issues such as environmental sustainability, citizen involvement, and municipal democracy.
Kibonge, who has been involved in municipal politics since 2017 and previously served as acting mayor, reflected on his journey in Sherbrooke Citoyen. “Since joining this team, I knew I had found my place. Even though I did not win my first election, I knew it was the beginning of a beautiful story,” he stated. In 2021, Kibonge was elected as a councillor, and his tenure has been marked by several important milestones, including the adoption of the city’s nature plan and significant changes to city governance.
Guillaume Lirette-Gélinas, a councillor for the borough of Lennoxville, is among those supporting Kibonge’s bid for leadership, endorsing him alongside other party colleagues.
With the municipal elections set for 2025, Kibonge’s campaign for leadership will focus on three key priorities: recruiting new talent, mobilizing citizens, and co-constructing Sherbrooke Citoyen’s platform for the upcoming election. “This race to the leadership is a path to managing the city. I’m doing it for you, for us, with a commitment to mobilization and community building,” Kibonge said, rallying supporters to join his cause.
With a platform focused on inclusivity and addressing critical issues like the housing crisis and aging infrastructure, Kibonge’s candidacy sets the stage for a dynamic contest within Sherbrooke Citoyen as the party looks ahead to 2025.
