The political landscape of Quebec is set for a significant shift following the official unveiling of a new provincial electoral map. The redistribution, announced by Elections Quebec, will result in the elimination of one riding in Montreal and another in the Gaspésie region, while adding two new constituencies elsewhere.
Details of the Redistribution
The changes, made public on January 14, 2026, are designed to reflect population shifts across the province. To accommodate growth in certain areas, the map will introduce the new riding of Bellefeuille in the Laurentians and the Marie-Lacoste-Gérin-Lajoie riding in Estrie. Conversely, to balance representation, one riding in Montreal and one in the Gaspésie peninsula are being dissolved. The specific names of the eliminated ridings were not detailed in the initial announcement, but the move highlights the ongoing demographic changes affecting urban and rural Quebec.
Impact on Regional Representation
This electoral redistribution is a standard but consequential process that occurs periodically to ensure fair representation based on population. The loss of a riding in Montreal suggests a relative slowdown in population growth compared to faster-growing regions like the Laurentians and Estrie. For Gaspésie, the elimination points to continued population decline or stagnation in the region, which could concentrate political power for remaining residents into a larger geographic area. The new map must now be adopted by the National Assembly, a step that will formally enact these changes for future provincial elections.
What Comes Next
The proposed map will undergo a period of review and public consultation before being finalized. Political parties will need to reassess their strategies in the affected regions, with incumbent MNAs in the eliminated ridings facing the prospect of running in newly configured constituencies. The creation of Bellefeuille and Marie-Lacoste-Gérin-Lajoie ridings will also open new opportunities for candidates in those areas. Ultimately, this redrawing of boundaries aims to uphold the principle of "rep by pop" (representation by population), ensuring each vote carries relatively equal weight across Quebec, even as it reshapes the electoral fortunes of various communities.
