Summary: Voters in Shefford will elect their third different MP in as many elections this year, as NDP MP Réjean Genest is retiring after one term.
Boundaries: A sprawling riding in southern Quebec, Shefford encompasses most areas directly north of Highway 10 between Chambly and Sherbrooke. The largest population centre in this riding is Granby.
Last Election: The NDP’s Réjean Genest, who is not running for re-election, defeated three-term BQ MP Robert Vincent by 27.7 per cent.
History: This is one of four ridings in Canada (and one of only two in Quebec) which has stayed in continual existence since Canada’s first election in 1867. While it was held by the the Bloc Québécois prior to Genest’s election, it has been an extremely diverse riding electorally over the years, having elected Liberal, PC, BQ, and Social Credit MPs since 1974. In recent memory, the riding was held longest by former Liberal cabinet minister Jean Lapierre, who held it for the Liberals from 1979 to 1990 before crossing the aisle to the newly created BQ.
Demographics: The median income is just $23,862 as of the 2011 National Household Survey, the lowest in Quebec outside Montreal and the Gaspé region.
Candidates
Conservative: Sylvie Fontaine, former city councillor
NDP: Claire Mailhot, development consultant
Liberal: Pierre Breton, independent municipal councillor in Granby
Green: Simon McMillan
Bloc Québécois: Jocelyn Beaudoin, lawyer
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