Québec solidaire (QS) supports the proposal from the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) to suspend the work of the Electoral Representation Commission (CRE) in order to review the law.
In an interview with The Canadian Press on Friday, QS MP Sol Zanetti argued that it is necessary to take a break from the electoral redistribution issue.
“There is a lot of dissatisfaction with the disappearance of constituencies,” he declared, echoing comments made to Radio-Canada by the parliamentary leader of the PLQ, Monsef Derraji.
“The commissioners are like, ‘What do you want me to tell you?’ You know, they are the ones who draw the map, but with the markers that the elected officials have put,” he added.
The law provides for a revision of the electoral map in Quebec after two general elections, since population movements create inequalities in representation.
Revision project denounced
The revision project presented last fall by the CRE notably eliminates a constituency in Gaspésie and one in eastern Montreal.
On the other hand, two other constituencies would see the light of day: Marie-Lacoste-Gérin-Lajoie, in Centre-du-Québec, and Bellefeuille, in the Laurentians.
The revision of the map is carried out so that Quebec is divided into 125 constituencies of approximately 51,000 voters which have, as much as possible, common characteristics.
Only one exception: the constituency of Îles-de-la-Madeleine, protected in law.
Last month, in a parliamentary committee, the project for a new electoral map was denounced by all the opposition parties and by CAQ elected officials.
More constituencies?
The Liberals are today proposing to reopen the Election Act to ensure that the current boundaries of the 125 ridings remain the same for the 2026 election.
According to the PLQ, reflection is necessary on the criteria to be taken into account to establish the next map.
“It’s a good idea,” responded solidarity worker Sol Zanetti in an interview. It will also give us the opportunity to think about increasing the number of constituencies to 129.”
All opposition parties are also asking that immigrants who do not yet have the right to vote, but who require the services of elected officials, be taken into account in the criteria.
The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government and the Parti Québécois (PQ) said they were ready on Friday to discuss the Liberal proposal.
“We are open to discussions to then evaluate the options,” said the office of the Minister responsible for Democratic Institutions, Jean-François Roberge.
When the PQ receives the request from the PLQ, “it will be analyzed and discussed in caucus in the coming days,” declared the PQ press secretary, Emmanuel Renaud.