
The Table des préfets in Gaspésie has adopted a resolution calling for the preservation of the Bonaventure and Gaspé electoral districts, which are being merged in the proposed map presented in September by the Electoral Representation Commission.
CARLETON-SUR-MER – The Table des préfets in Gaspésie has adopted a resolution calling for the preservation of the Bonaventure and Gaspé electoral districts, which are being merged in the proposed map presented in September by the Electoral Representation Commission.
The resolution was adopted by the prefects on October 10.
“This is a major concern for the municipal world, and the Table des préfets wants to take the same position as we did at the federal level. What we are asking for is the status quo, aiming to maintain the integrity of the ridings in the region for reasons that we consider obvious,” notes Mathieu Lapointe, President of the Table of Prefects.
The debate goes beyond mathematics.
“It’s the whole question of electoral representation. The size of the territory means that it would be very difficult to cover if we went from Grande-Vallée to Ascension-de-Patapédia. The distance to the National Assembly is an additional hurdle. MNAs already have to drive several hours to get to Quebec City where decisions are made, and then back to their ridings. Distance alone from the riding is already an issue, and adding a huge riding would put a brake on the region’s voice,” analyzes Mr. Lapointe.
This new map is reminiscent of the debate that took place a year ago over the federal electoral map.
Despite similar arguments, the federal commission upheld the elimination of the Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia riding.
“We’re going to work very hard. We’ve already overturned it twice at the provincial level. We intend to work on that. We’re confident in our arguments, and we’re going to make ourselves heard,” asserts Mr. Lapointe.
The Table will be submitting a brief and making its voice heard in Gaspé on October 25 where the Regroupement des MRC and municipal elected officials will be present.
“We’ll also be in Matane since the proposed redistribution would see the Haute-Gaspésie change administra- tive regions. We’ll be taking part in the consultations, which will have a greater impact on the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. We will be present at these two meetings. We’ll also be taking part in the online consultation,” says Mr. Lapointe.
The table will encourage MRCs in the Gaspésie and municipalities to adopt the same resolution in the coming weeks.
In the proposed electoral map unveiled on September 19, the commission suggests eliminating one electoral division in the Gaspésie.
The Haute-Gaspésie MRC would be amalgamated into the expanded Matane-Matapédia riding.
The MRCs of Côte-de-Gaspé, Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure, and Avignon would be consolidated into the electoral division of Gaspé-Bonaventure.