Summary: This riding was seen as symbolic of the orange wave in Quebec in 2011. Ruth Ellen Brosseau was elected despite never campaigning in the riding, and was criticized for taking a Vegas vacation late in the campaign. She is seeking re-election.
Boundaries: This riding is now slightly larger than in 2011, adding Saint-Félix-de-Valois and Saint-Jean-de-Matha. Trois Rivieres Ouest has now moved to the Trois Rivieres riding.
Last Election: NDP Brosseau won 39.6 per cent of the vote, defeating 3-term BQ MP Guy André, who earned 29.4 per cent.
History: This riding was created in 2004, and was won by André by a significant margin in each election until 2011. Prior to that, ridings in this area followed a similar pattern: Voters elected Bloc Québécois exclusively between 1993 and 2011, elected PC candidates from 1984 to 1993, and Liberal candidates throughout the Trudeau era.
Demographics: The average income is $30,605, seventh lowest in Quebec, according to the 2011 National Household Survey.
Candidates
Conservative: Marianne Foucrault, university student
NDP: Ruth Ellen Brosseau, MP since 2011
Liberal: Pierre Destrempes, businessman in commercial real estate
Bloc Québécois: Yves Perron, history teacher
Green: Cate Burton, daughter of party leader Elizabeth May