montreal director general leaving post, with $1-million severance pay

longtime montreal director general benoit dagenais has agreed to leave his post, with a severance package of more than $1 million.as mayor soraya martinez ferrada shuffles the city’s upper management, the opposition party leader said wednesday that replacing the city manager came down to partisan differences.“there was clearly a significant difference in vision between mr. dagenais and the administration,” said ericka alneus, interim leader of projet montréal, in a written statement to the gazette. “what is most unfortunate in all of this is that the administration is effectively telling us that montrealers will be paying $1 million for nothing, because it is unable to work as a team,” she added.the city of montreal’s executive committee approved the severance agreement for dagenais on wednesday morning.dagenais has worked in public service for 30 years. he will remain in office until aug. 17, 2026, when he will be replaced by former city manager alain dufort.the city will pay him a severance package equivalent to three years’ salary.in his departure statement, dagenais appears to be leaving his position on good terms.“it is with great emotion that i leave the city of montreal, which i love deeply. i feel privileged to have dedicated myself, alongside all my colleagues, to serving this unique city and its residents,” dagenais said in the city’s press statement."as a proud montrealer, i wish mayor martinez ferrada and the current administration every success and sincerely congratulate alain dufort on his appointment."dufort has more than 35 years of experience in the municipal and public service sectors, predominantly working with the city of montreal. most recently, he worked as director general of the réseau de transport de l’agglomération de longueuil.“montreal aspires to have a high-performing, modern administration that is entirely focused on the needs of its citizens," martinez ferrada stated in a press release. "alain dufort possesses the experience, leadership and knowledge of our organization necessary to continue this transformation. his appointment is fully aligned with our commitment to providing better services, improving the efficiency of the municipal apparatus and ensuring that every dollar invested generates concrete results for montrealers."dufort says he accepts the mandate with "great humility and a deep sense of responsibility," and is proud to continue serving montreal."with the municipal services teams, the boroughs and the city’s partners, i will work to strengthen our capacity to act, to continuously improve our services and to ensure that the citizens’ experience is at the heart of each of our decisions."