Two ridings, one in Gaspésie and the other in Montreal, are saved. The Legault government stops the redrawing of the electoral map. An increase in the number of deputies is not excluded for the future.
In a rare transpartisan moment, Minister Jean-François Roberge appeared before the media on Thursday flanked by his counterparts from the Liberal Party, Québec Solidaire and the Parti Québécois.
With the support of other political parties, Quebec has decided to suspend the ongoing process of redesigning the electoral map. It was originally an initiative of liberal MP Monsef Derraji. There will therefore be no changes to the 125 constituencies during the next elections in 2026.
“This is an exceptional measure, but it is necessary. It is essential that regions of Quebec such as Gaspésie continue to be well represented in the National Assembly. I think that many citizens, but particularly Gaspé residents, have been heard, not only by the government, but I dare say by all colleagues as well,” argued the Minister of Democratic Institutions.
The current overhaul of the electoral map provided for the disappearance of the Gaspé riding of Bonaventure and the Montreal riding of Anjou—Louis-Riel.
Elected officials will eventually look at the criteria for representation of the population in the Electoral Act. Currently, several counties cover a large area but are very sparsely populated. While in other constituencies, notably Montreal, the demographics have exploded.
For the redefinition of the criteria, everything is on the table, even an increase in the number of counties, and therefore of deputies represented in the National Assembly.
“The doors are open,” said Minister Roberge. I’m not closing the door on absolutely anything.”