Mayor’s Office and City Council

Michael Stern was elected mayor in 2025.

• 514-989-5200 ext. 8084
• mstern@westmount.org

Biography

Michael Stern is a Chartered Professional Accountant and former Ernst & Young Partner. He understands the value of hard work and dedication. A McGill graduate, he joined Zittrer, Siblin, Stein, Levine, as a young accountant. He very quickly demonstrated that he could earn the trust of his clients and made Partner of the firm while still in his 20s. The firm merged with Ernst & Young, and, as Partner, Michael identified a need to work with entrepreneurs in the community. He built out a practice within the firm catering to medium-sized businesses, including many of Montreal’s most successful entrepreneurs, a practice that flourished under his leadership. He has a strong sense of community and the need to give back, so he hired, trained, and mentored hundreds of young accountants over the years and made sure that Ernst & Young was an active participant in many philanthropic endeavours.

A deeply dedicated person, Michael spent his entire audit career at the same firm, where he helped many community businesses grow and was instrumental in the success of so many of his clients and colleagues. More recently, Michael has been the CFO of two technology firms and advises mid-to-large privately held companies. His strong financial stewardship, and ability to build consensus in challenging environments, makes him an extremely sought after and respected business leader.

Michael’s commitment extended far beyond work. He’s been married to Susan for nearly 50 years, raised three community-minded children and taught them the value of giving back—not just in words, but through action in countless community initiatives. Michael and Susan have been proud Westmount residents since 1990. Susan owned the A.L. Van Houtte on Sherbrooke West and Claremont, providing many residents with a coffee and a smile every day, and now is the head of a not-for-profit organisation with its office in Westmount. Michael served as President of Westmount’s Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue, leading thousands of residents in Westmount and the surrounding area. 

In all his personal and professional endeavours, Michael has always gone above and beyond to work with people, find an amicable solution to even the most difficult situations, inspire, uplift, and encourage others.

Commissioner of Finance and Hydro Westmount
Member of the Finance and Administration Commission

• 514-989-5200 ext. 5082
• adamico@westmount.org

Biography

Antonio D’Amico was elected to Westmount City Council on November 7, 2021, as the Councillor for District 1. He is also the outgoing Commissioner of Finance, Member of the Finance and Administration Committee and Member of the Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Committee (ESDC). He was also the past President of the Westmount Municipal Association (WMA). He has been a resident of Westmount and District 1 since 2013.

Antonio has a B.Com., BA, MBA and Graduate Diploma in Taxation, from McGill University.

Antonio is a fluently bilingual practicing Canadian and US CPA specializing in taxation. Antonio obtained his Canadian CPA in 1994 and his US CPA in 2004. He advises multinational corporations, small businesses, estates and trusts, and individuals. He has been invited to present his tax recommendations to the Quebec Revenue Department, and the US Congress. He is a frequent invited speaker on tax issues at major financial institutions.

Active participant in the public consultations of the Reconstruction of Lexington and Upper Lansdowne and the oversight of the Roslyn Steps reconstruction.

Commissioner of Economic Development, infrastructure and Information Technology

• 514-989-5200 ext. 5077
• jchomski@westmount.org

Biography

Jonathan Chomski is a real estate professional focused on practical solutions to today’s housing needs, developing multi-family residential apartments in communities off the island of Montreal.

For more than 20 years, he served as Chief Operating Officer of a national student health and benefits organization, supporting university students across Canada and gaining extensive leadership and management experience. A Westmount resident for over two decades, Jonathan and his wife have raised their three children here.

Jonathan is also a long-time board member of Camp B’nai Brith, the founding president of the Limmud Centre, and a familiar face walking his two dogs daily at the Summit Woods.

Beyond work and community, Jonathan enjoys the outdoors, travel, and off-road adventures in his Jeep. 

Commissioner of Public Works, Accessibility and Mobility
Chair of the Finance and Administration Commission

• 514-989-5200 ext. 5083
• jshamie@westmount.org

Biography

Jeff Shamie was first elected to City Council as the representative of District 3 in the November 2017 election. During his 2021-2025 mandate, he served as Pro Mayor, Commissioner of Hydro Westmount and Administration, as well as Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee.

In parallel with his duties in municipal politics, Jeff has served as CEO of the Cedars Cancer Foundation at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) since 2005. As one of Montreal’s leading fundraising professionals, Jeff has guided the transformation of Cedars into one of the city’s leading foundations recognized for its support of cancer care, research and education.

Jeff has worked in marketing and the international apparel industry. Previously, he was Director of Expo 2000, the City of Toronto’s bid for a World’s Fair, a Senior Policy Advisor to several Ontario cabinet ministers and an assistant in the Prime Minister’s Office under Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

Jeff has a BA (Hons) in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration from Queen’s University. He and his wife Daphne have 4 daughters, who are active participants in Westmount’s many sports programmes, and the myriad of community and cultural events and activities this great City has to offer.

Commissioner of the Library, culture and Community Events
Member of the Public Library Committee

• 514-989-5200 ext. 5080
• gchadha@westmount.org

Biography

Gurveen K. Chadha was born and raised in Westmount—learning to swim at the YMCA, skating at the Rec Center, and taking classes at Victoria Hall. She went on to study public policy at Harvard and Dartmouth. Her career bridges public policy and the private sector. In Ottawa, she was Director of Policy to Marc Garneau, Canada’s Minister of Transport, leading policy development and managing complex issues at the national level. In business, she has led strategy and operations at companies like Shopify and Jobber, and she also co-founded the olive oil shop, Olives en folie, that was on Victoria Ave.

Over the past decade, she has knocked on hundreds of doors during campaigns in this City, listening directly to residents. She joins City Council with the desire to improve our infrastructure, strengthen economic vitality on Sherbrooke, Greene, Victoria, and Ste-Catherine, and create sustainable public spaces that will keep Westmount thriving for the next 150 years.

Commissioner of Sports and Recreation
Commissioner of Urban Planning and Sustainable Development

• 514-989-5200 ext. 5081
• smoss@westmount.org

Biography

Shawn Moss is a fully bilingual architect, project manager and sustainable design expert with over 20 years of professional experience. A member of the Ordre des architectes du Québec, he holds both undergraduate and Master’s degrees in architecture from McGill University, and his specialization in sustainable design (LEED AP) reflects his commitment to building a greener, more resilient future for Westmount. His career has been defined by one core principle: successful projects are built on collaboration. This philosophy was also central to his role on the design team for the Westmount Recreation Centre.

Along with his wife and son, Shawn is a proud and deeply invested resident of District 5 since 2021. He also worked in Westmount for many years prior. His professional roles prepared him for the challenges he will surely encounter as a member of Council. As an architect in private practice and during his years in the facilities management team at Concordia University, he learned to harmonize the needs of diverse stakeholders, often with conflicting interests and competing for resources. This experience of fostering collaboration and finding common ground is precisely what Shawn hopes to incorporate as a city councillor, guided by transparency and respect for taxpayer dollars.

Shawn believes that, together, we can enhance the unique qualities that make district 5 special, from its parks and the Library, to the vibrant Victoria Village. He is committed to working with citizens and his colleagues on Council to build a sustainable future for Westmount, while honouring its rich heritage. 

Commissioner of Public Order
Liaison with Merchants' Associations
Member of the Finance and Administration Commission

• 514-989-5200 ext. 5075
• plevine@westmount.org

Biography

Paul Levine has proudly called Westmount his home for the past five years, where he lives with his wife, Sharon. Together, they cherish their family of four children and six grandchildren.

Professionally, Paul brings over four decades of experience as a forensic accountant and business valuator with Price Waterhouse Coopers. He holds several distinguished designations, including FCPA, CBV, and ICD.D, reflecting a lifelong commitment to excellence and integrity in financial analysis and corporate governance.

Paul's roots are in Westmount, where he attended Roslyn School and Westmount High School. This community shaped his values and continues to inspire his dedication to public service.

Throughout his career, Paul has been deeply involved in the not-for-profit sector, serving in leadership roles—president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary—on boards such as Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, Solomon Schechter Academy, the CPA Order and the Jerusalem Foundation.

Paul is passionate about Westmount’s future and committed to ensuring it remains a vibrant, responsive, and fiscally responsible city. He believes in listening to residents, advocating for their concerns, and driving meaningful change through collaboration and sound decision-making.

Known for his financial acumen, strong communication skills, and attention to detail, Paul is a team player who is not afraid to speak up when it matters. He is dedicated to serving with integrity and helping Westmount continue to thrive.

Commissioner of Legal affairs and Communications
Commissioner for Parks and Green Spaces

• 514-989-5200 ext. 5079
•  maronson@westmount.org

Biography

Matthew E. (“Matt”) Aronson lives at the heart of the community he represents with his partner Lucy, his children, and their rescue dog, Jolene.

A lawyer by profession, Matt brings analytical rigour and advocacy skills honed through years of legal practice to municipal governance. His community leadership includes serving on local boards and championing causes that strengthen neighbourhood cohesion and quality of life.

Over four years, Matt has delivered meaningful results for Westmount. He advocated for the inclusion of affordable housing and additional greenspaces in the Southeast Sector re-zoning vision, and for its adoption without further delay—advancing both housing access and environmental priorities. As Commissioner for Climate & Sustainability, Economic Development, and Citizen Engagement, Matt has championed environmental action, supported local businesses, and ensured residents' voices are heard at City Hall.

Matt's leadership on the Environmental Advisory Committee has advanced Westmount's climate resilience planning. His commitment to accessible, responsive service has helped hundreds of constituents navigate city processes and resolve concerns. Matt has earned respect for his collaborative approach and effective governance.

For 2025-2029, Matt's platform focuses on four priorities: affordable and attainable housing for youth, families, and seniors; safer, cleaner, well-maintained streets through enhanced security and property accountability; frictionless city service with streamlined permits and clear communication; and sustainable climate action with a dedicated Sustainability Director and expanded green infrastructure.

Matt believes in building our future, together—balancing growth with heritage preservation, innovation with community values, and bold vision with practical results.

Commissioner of Public Safety
Member of the Finance and Administration Commission

• 514-989-5200 ext. 5078
• kkez@westmount.org

Biography

Kathleen Kez was first elected to Westmount City Council on November 5, 2017, as the councillor for District 8. She served as the Commissioner of Finance and member of the Finance and Administration Committee. In 2022, she was named Commissioner of Public Safety.

Kathleen grew up in Westmount attending Roslyn and Westmount High. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University and a Diploma in Accounting from McGill University.

Kathleen is self-employed, offering accounting and tax preparation services to small businesses and individuals. She volunteers for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax programme for those in need. She is also a volunteer at Resilience Montreal day shelter. She lived in France for 10 years before moving back to Westmount in 2002 with her two children, Nicolas and Chloe, both of whom have been very active in the community and were Westmount camp counsellors for years.

She is committed to representing the interests of District 8 and working with all residents with full transparency. She has been a strong advocate for the need to protect, preserve and enhance the vital living space of our community and has been promoting the need for more green spaces. She is working to develop a proactive vision for District 8 through consultation and considerations, ensuring that the redevelopment of the Southeast is the best it can be, and that it is respectful of the neighbourhood, enhancing the quality of life for both existing and future residents of the area.

Did you know that the monarch butterfly population has dropped by more than 90 percent in the last 20 years? Along with deforestation and pesticide use, one of the main causes of this decline is the drastic reduction of the asclepias plant, commonly known as Milkweed. Milkweed is the only plant that can feed the caterpillars of Canadian monarch butterflies and is the preferred plant on which they lay their eggs.

Created by the U.S. National Wildlife Federation, the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge programme has expanded to become a tri-national programme, promoted in Canada by the David Suzuki Foundation. Through the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, more than 300 communities have committed to create monarch habitat and engage their residents in educational and conservation projects. The City of Westmount is proud to announce our official participation and ongoing support of this initiative.

Here is a list of just a few of the many actions the City of Westmount has committed to taking as part of this programme:

• Distribution of free milkweed seeds to residents during public events and throughout the year with the Westmount Library Seed Lending programme
• Installation of an educational butterfly garden next to the Library in Westmount Park which will feature Milkweed and other pollinator friendly plants
• City flower beds and planters will continue to have plant species that attract and feed butterflies and other pollinators such as bees
• Westmount is committed to reducing impermeable cement surfaces every year and including naturalized planting zones and water retention basins in public spaces
• Westmount has revised its grass mowing operations to allow targeted areas to grow longer and naturalize with indigenous plants

Residents can participate by creating butterfly and pollinator gardens in their own yards and gardens by incorporating the following beneficial flowers and plants:

• Common milkweed Asclepias syriaca
• Swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata
• Butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa
• New England aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
• Pearly everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea
• Yarrow Achillea millefolium
• Wild columbine Aquilegia canadensis
• Wild bergamot Monarda fistulosa
• Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
• Anise hyssop Agastache foeniculum
• Lance leaf coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
• Woodland Sunflower Helianthus divaricatus
• Evening primrose Oenothera biennis
• Pearly everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea