A reform of the electoral map which erases another constituency in Gaspésie looks like “relentlessness” against eastern Quebec.
This is what the Parti Québécois (PQ) mentioned Tuesday in the parliamentary committee on the redistricting of the electoral map planned for 2026.
The revision project presented in September by the Commission on Electoral Representation notably eliminates a constituency in Gaspésie, Bonaventure, and one in eastern Montreal.
The three opposition parties, the Liberal Party (PLQ), Québec solidaire (QS) and the PQ, also ask the commission not only to take into account the number of voters, but also the total population, i.e. that is to say in particular immigrants who do not yet have the right to vote, but who require services from elected officials.
In the event that the project is accepted, the PQ deputy for Matane-Matapédia, Pascal Bérubé, noted that he would have to cover the territory of four MRCs if he is re-elected and that it would even become risky to do his job. elected in terms of road safety.
Exceptions
He further noted that the law already allows for exceptions.
“Why eastern Quebec? asked Mr. Bérubé. For many I have met, it seems a bit like relentlessness against this region which is gradually losing its political weight.
The map is revised so that the number of voters in a constituency is neither higher nor lower than 25% of a quotient of an average determined at 50,694 voters. Only one exception: the constituency of Îles-de-la-Madeleine, protected in law.
However, the law also provides that the commission can deviate from the rule with a reasoned decision.
The commission determines electoral district boundaries based on “demographic, geographic and sociological considerations, such as population density, relative rate of population growth, accessibility, area and configuration of the region, the natural boundaries of the environment, as well as the boundaries of the municipalities,” provides the legislative text.
The PQ also proposes to increase the number of constituencies, fixed in the law between a minimum of 122 and a maximum of 125.