Summary: A longtime Liberal riding with an MP stepping down amid controversy, and several high-profile candidates looking to replace him, Saint-Léonard–Saint-Michel is a definite riding to watch this election.
Boundaries: An urban seat towards the northeast of the island, the riding includes the borough of Saint Leonard and north Saint-Michel.
Last Election: Liberal MP Massimo Pacetti was re-elected, defeating NDP candidate Roberta Peressini by 10 per cent.
History: Since it was created prior to the 1988 election, the riding has only had two MPs, both of whom were mired in controversy at the end of their terms. Liberal MP Alfonso Gagliano was first elected in 1984, but resigned in 2002 when he was appointed Ambassador to Denmark, a post he later lost following allegations of financial abuses in the sponsorship program while he was Minister of Public Works. He was replaced in a by-election by Pacetti, who is not running for re-election after being kicked out of the Liberal caucus after allegations of harassment by two NDP MPs.
Demographics: An extremely diverse, working-class riding, 57 per cent of people in Saint-Léonard–Saint-Michel have a first language other than English or French, the highest number in Quebec. According to the 2011 National Household Survey, the riding has the third lowest median income ($20,814) and average income ($26,948) in the province. In addition, 17 per cent of people identify as Muslim, while 11.1 per cent were born in Italy — both the second highest figures in Canada.
Candidates
Conservatives: Jean-Philippe Fournier
NDP: Rosannie Filato, lawyer and counsel for United Food and Commercial Workers Canada
Liberals: Nicola Di Iorio, lawyer and advocate against drunk driving
Greens: Melissa Miscione, interior designer
Bloc Québécois: Steeve Gendron, accountant
Marxist-Leninist: Arezki Malek
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