Career
Her portfolio included social development, family, and senior citizens. As deputy mayor, she served as acting mayor of the city from November 5 to November 16, 2012 following the resignation of Gérald Tremblay, and again from June 18 to June 25, 2013 following the resignation of Michael Applebaum. Born in London, England, and Montreal resident since the age of five, Cowell-Poitras has studied business at Concordia University.
Prior to becoming a city councillor, Cowell-Poitras was president of National Athletic Trainers' Association, a business that coordinated conferences and volunteering workshops in the community.
Following the resignation of Gérald Tremblay on November 5, 2012, Cowell-Poitras assumed the office of acting Mayor of Montreal, by virtue of holding the office of deputy mayor, a position which rotates among different councillors throughout a council term, at the time of Tremblay"s resignation. She was the first woman in the city"s history to assume, even temporarily, the office of mayor.
She served until November 16, when council selected Michael Applebaum as the city"s new interim mayor. She again became acting mayor on June 18, 2013, when Applebaum resigned, serving until the selection of Laurent Blanchard on June 25.
She was a candidate for interim mayor in the council vote, but garnered just three votes to 30 for Blanchard and 28 for councillor Harout Chitilian.
