Panel Discussion: Laurence Parent

Laurence Parent is a Montréal based disability rights advocate and public leader dedicated to advancing accessible mobility and inclusive urban policy. She is a Borough Councillor for Plateau-Mont-Royal and Vice-Chair of the City of Montréal’s Standing Committee on Social Development and Montréal Diversity. As Chair of the Commission on Transport and Public Works and Vice President of the STM Board, she plays a central role in shaping barrier free public transit and infrastructure. Her work is grounded in a justice focused, policy driven approach informed by more than two decades of activism and academic expertise in critical disability studies.

Laurence holds a PhD in Humanities (geography, communication, and oral history), a Master's degree in Critical Disability Studies, and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. She has taught at the university level, published peer‑reviewed research, and contributed to numerous conferences in Canada and internationally. In 2021, she transitioned from academia to municipal politics, running as a city councillor for the De Lorimier district (Plateau‑Mont‑Royal) with Projet Montréal.

Committed to the belief that ecological transition must go hand in hand with social justice, Laurence places equity, accessibility, and meaningful consultation at the heart of her public service. She is particularly devoted to making Plateau‑Mont‑Royal a more accessible and inclusive place for all.