Quebec minister agrees to postpone electoral map reform
Quebec's democratic institutions minister, Jean-François Roberge, has accepted the opposition parties' request to postpone electoral map reform.
He made the announcement Thursday morning in the company of MNAs Monsef Derraji (Parti libéral du Québec), Sol Zanetti (Québec solidaire) and Pascal Bérubé (Parti québécois).
"It's an exceptional measure, but a necessary one," said Roberge. "It's essential that Quebec regions like Gaspésie continue to be well represented in the National Assembly."
The government will soon table a bill to maintain the current electoral map until 2026. It will then reflect on the criteria to be considered in drawing up the next map.
"It's time (...) to do things properly", said Derraji, who was the first to call for a pause in the reform of the electoral map in light of the proposed changes.
The law provides for a revision after two general elections, since population movements create inequalities in representation.
The draft revision presented last fall by the Commission de la représentation électorale (CRE) notably eliminated one electoral division in Gaspésie and one in the east end of Montreal, given the decline in the number of electors.
On the other hand, two new ridings were created: Marie-Lacoste-Gérin-Lajoie, in Centre-du-Québec, and Bellefeuille, in the Laurentians.
In February, several MNAs from all parties denounced the proposed revision. In particular, they complained that Gaspésie was gradually losing its political weight, and that the size of its ridings was becoming disproportionate.
"When we look at the size of the territory, it has to be a criterion. We can't just say, 'We're looking at the number of voters'," said Premier François Legault on Thursday.
"In the meantime, we've reached an agreement with the three opposition parties to protect the place of the regions."
"There are concerns in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, on the Côte-Nord, in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean that in the coming years the number of counties will be reduced and that the territories will be immense for MNAs to cover," he added.
The map is being revised so that Quebec is divided into 125 ridings of around 51,000 electors.
On Thursday, Minister Roberge stated that the revision criteria would be reviewed. He did not rule out increasing the number of MNAs in Quebec. "I'm not closing the door on anything today," he said.
The CRE did not respond to questions from The Canadian Press on Thursday. On March 5, it stated that it would continue its work "while the criteria set out in the Election Act are legitimate and democratic."
"The electoral map delimitation process must be independent and impartial, and political intervention at this stage could compromise these principles," said spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet.
"What's more, keeping the current map until 2030 is not an acceptable option in the eyes of the commissioners, since major inequities in representation are already present and will only become more pronounced over the years," she added.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 28, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.
It's 30 years since apartheid ended. South Africa's celebrations are set against growing discontent
South Africa marked 30 years since the end of apartheid and the birth of its democracy with a ceremony in the capital Saturday that included a 21-gun salute and the waving of the nation's multicolored flag.