Summary: This is the home riding of the leader of a new party in this election, Forces et Démocratie, known in English as Strength in Democracy. Jean-Francois Fortin was elected here as a Bloc Québécois member in 2011, in the former riding of Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia. Fortin and former NDP MP Jean-François Larose founded the new party in October 2014.
Boundaries: This riding is the middle of three ridings that run along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, north of New Brunswick. The three main communities are La Matapedia, La Mitis, and Matane. This riding no longer includes La Haute-Gaspesie. It has added the municipal county of Avignon, inlcuding the Gesgapegiag and Listuguj no. 1 Indian Reserves.
Last Election: In 2011, voters within the new boundaries of this riding voted 34.5 per cent Bloc Québécois, 26.6 per cent NDP, and 23.2 per cent Liberal.
History: The two ridings that formerly covered this area elected BQ MP’s in 2004, 2006 and 2008. In 2011, they elected one Bloc member and one NDP member.
Demographics: With a population of 74,550 (as of the last census), it’s the smallest riding in Quebec.
Candidates
Conservative: André Savoie
NDP: Joël Charest, former assistant to NDP MP Guy Caron
Liberal: Rémi Massé, Executive Director, Cégep de Matane
Bloc Québécois: Kédina Fleury-Samson, Masters student in psychology, former municipal councillor for Mont-Joli (2009-2013)
Green: Sherri Springle
Strength in Democracy: Jean-Francois Fortin, MP since 2011, party leader
Rhino: Éric Normand
Comments