By Matthew Daldalian – The Laval News
Running without a party banner is never easy in municipal politics — and for Aglaia Revelakis, the longtime councillor for Chomedey, it means knocking on every door herself.
The four-term incumbent is seeking re-election as an independent after more than a decade in local politics. Once a recognizable face under the Action Laval banner, Revelakis is now forging her own path in one of the city’s most notable districts.
Ground work
Revelakis says the experience of campaigning solo has been challenging but rewarding. “I do door to door every day for five hours a day, every day,” she said. “Without knocking on the doors, you cannot get the information that is right.”
Her strategy is simple: focus on direct contact. With a small group of volunteers and limited funds, she’s relied heavily on community ties built over 12 years in office. Unlike candidates backed by major parties, independents don’t benefit from shared budgets or central resources.
“Each person has a certain amount of budget that is allowed per candidate,” Revelakis said. “When you’re with a party, you also have the mayor’s section of the budget to use.”
Her total campaign spending limit, she noted, is not as high as what party candidates can collectively mobilize.
Connecting with voters amid frustration
At the door, Revelakis said she encounters residents frustrated with local issues: snow removal, potholes, speeding, and bike paths that many feel were poorly implemented. She says those daily conversations motivate her to keep pushing as an independent voice.
“People have to understand that I am independent,” she said. “It is very important for the citizens in my district to understand that.”
Some residents still associate her with her former party, but Revelakis says most are receptive once she explains her decision to run on her own. She said her independence allows her to prioritize local needs over party politics.
A long history of community involvement
Before entering politics, Revelakis was already deeply rooted in Chomedey’s civic life. She sat on the first board of directors for the Centre du Sablon when it was founded, and also served on boards for the CLSC Norman-Bethune and Grand Boulevard Desjardins bank. She was previously active in provincial and federal political associations but says municipal service remains where she feels most connected to residents.
“I’ve always wanted to give my 100 per cent and give back to my citizens,” she said.
Door-to-door democracy
Without a party machine behind her, Revelakis has leaned on a more traditional approach: daily canvassing and face-to-face contact. While she’s had issues with campaign signs being lost, she insists they’re not what wins elections.
“The signs don’t get you the votes,” she said. “It’s the door to door that gets you the votes.”
As Election Day approaches, Revelakis says she’s focused on encouraging turnout rather than party loyalty. “Every vote counts,” she said. “People have to go out and vote.”
At 12 years in office, Revelakis has built her political survival on one principle: that being independent doesn’t mean being alone.
