The Québec Elections 2026 will feature a new electoral map, officially announced by the Commission de la représentation électorale du Québec (CRE). This map includes significant changes aimed at reflecting the evolution of voter demographics across the province.
Key Changes to the Electoral Map
One of the most notable adjustments is the reduction of one electoral district each in Gaspésie and eastern Montreal. This decision was made as the CRE stated that voters in these areas were “overrepresented” in the National Assembly.
- The Gaspé and Bonaventure districts will merge to form the new Gaspé-Bonaventure district.
- The Matane-Matapédia district will expand to include La Haute-Gaspésie, retaining its current name despite previous plans to rename it.
- In eastern Montreal, the LaFontaine district will be divided between two new districts named Pointe-aux-Prairies and Anjou-LaFontaine.
Political Reactions and Controversies
The changes have sparked significant debate within the National Assembly. Lawmakers from various parties have expressed concerns about the diminishing political power of the Gaspésie region. Current MNA Pascal Bérubé highlighted challenges of representing an enlarged district, dubbing it “almost impossible” for a single elected official.
In 2024, a law was passed unanimously to halt the electoral map revision. However, the Court of Appeal deemed this law “unconstitutional,” allowing the CRE to pursue the changes. The provincial government is contesting this ruling and has sought permission to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, which has yet to announce its decision.
New Districts to Accommodate Population Growth
The revised map introduces new districts in regions experiencing significant population growth. The Laurentides and Lanaudière areas have seen an 11.6% increase in voters since the last map was established, the highest growth rate in Québec.
- A new district called Bellefeuille will encompass parts of Saint-Jérôme, Mirabel, and Saint-Colomban.
- In the Estrie and Centre-du-Québec regions, a new district named Marie-Lacoste-Gérin-Lajoie will be added, along with a renaming of the current Johnson district to Daniel-Johnson.
A total of 51 out of 125 electoral districts in Québec will undergo modifications. These include boundary adjustments and name changes to reflect population shifts.
Future Considerations
The electoral law mandates a review of the electoral map after every two general elections. This ensures that demographic changes do not lead to unequal representation. Currently, there are suggestions to increase the number of representatives from 125 to 127 to accommodate new districts without eliminating any existing ones.
Québec solidaire’s Alexandre Leduc argues that this adjustment would allow for the preservation of representation in Gaspésie and eastern Montreal while integrating the newly proposed districts. He calls for collaboration among political parties to pass legislation that confirms the addition of two seats to the Assembly.
