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
BREAKING Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57.
Kidnapped by her father and kept in a crawl space: Court documents reveal Montreal horror story
A Montreal father who kidnapped his daughter who has autism and lied to police when they asked where she was should serve three years in prison, a Crown prosecutor said.
Noticed a new payment? Some Canadians get first carbon rebate
Many Canadians found a message from the Canada Revenue Agency this week as they received their first direct deposit for the Canada Carbon Rebate.
Teen died from eating a spicy chip as part of social media challenge, autopsy report concludes
A medical examiner says a Massachusetts teen who participated in a spicy tortilla chip challenge died from ingesting a substance 'with a high capsaicin concentration.'
Protecting your car from the growing risk of keyless vehicle thefts
Auto technology has evolved and many newer cars use wireless key fobs and push-button starters instead of traditional metal keys. But that technology also makes things easier for thieves.
WATCH Scientists get a surprising glimpse at a rare deep-sea squid
Scientists from the University of Western Australia and Kelpsie Geociences in the U.K. say they were surprised to discover an underwater camera caught video of a rare deep-sea squid.
There's a new workers' rights treaty in Canada, but will it actually protect you?
Although a global workers' treaty has been in force in Canada since January, an employment lawyer believes it won't do anything more to protect employees from violence and harassment.
Is it safe to use your phone to collect points in the drive-thru?
The Saskatchewan RCMP wants you to know it’s not targeting drive-thrus to ticket people for using their fast food reward apps.
Slovak authorities charge 'lone wolf' with assassination attempt on the prime minister
The Slovak interior minister said Thursday that a 'lone wolf' has been charged in the shooting that seriously wounded Prime Minister Robert Fico.