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Abolition of Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia riding

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 12, 2025 / electoral map, matapedia, nelson sergerie

Droits collectifs Québec confident of reversing the decision

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Droits collectifs Québec remains confident following the February 3 hearing before the Federal Court regarding the judicial review application challenging the abolition of the federal riding of Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia.

“We come out of this quite confident. We have presented the arguments of fact and law for maintaining the riding of Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia. The Attorney General of Canada and Elections Canada have done their job. There was a good exchange of arguments,” notes the attorney for Droits collectifs Québec, François Côté.

“Is Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia a riding that is characterized by distinctive elements? Is there really a prejudice suffered by voters in the electoral division? The opposing parties argued the opposite. It remains to be seen how the judge will weigh the arguments,” adds Mr. Côté, noting that the magistrate was very attentive and interested in the debate before him.

The judge is aware that time is of the essence, as elections could occur fairly quickly.

“He openly said that he was sensitive to time in the case and would try to render a decision as soon as possible. We sense a desire on the part of all parties to settle this matter before the elections,” maintains the attorney.

The big question raised by Droits collectifs Québec is: do the voters of the Gaspésie have the right, in the name of the principle of elective representation, to have their own constituency or not?

The application for judicial review is based on an opinion formulated by the Supreme Court of Canada in the context of the Reference re Provincial Electoral Boundaries in Saskatchewan and the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act.

Before the debate, Mr. Côté indicated that “We had to ask ourselves the question of whether democracy and life across a state is only a matter of absolute numbers, or is there such a thing as regional interests, that local particularities deserve to have a distinct voice even though numerically, they would not be on an equal footing. And the answer to this question for more than 300 years in our modern democracies is yes, they deserve it,” he said.

Regions, communities, geographic areas and regional histories also count in the debate. The Attorney General of Canada, in his brief, argued instead for numerical parity.

The adopted map, presented in the summer of 2022, provoked an outcry of protest from the entire political class in Gaspésie.

Avignon and Matanie are included in the new riding of Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj while Matapédia and Mitis are in Rimouski-La Matapédia.

The Federal Court had not granted a stay to maintain Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia pending a decision on the merits.

Abolition of Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia riding Read More »

Bloc leader understands Kristina Michaud’s decision

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / February 5, 2025 / election, electoral map, matapedia, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

OTTAWA – The leader of the Bloc Québécois understands Member of Parliament (MP) Kristina Michaud’s decision to devote herself to motherhood rather than the next electoral campaign. Yves-François Blanchet points out that the two have been discussing the situation for several weeks.

“The timing is simply bad. The election is coming at the end of her pregnancy, which is not ideal for Kristina. It’s a new riding which reaches the Magdalen Islands and then, with a baby, to travel regularly to Ottawa. It’s huge,” mentions the Bloc leader.

Usually, accommodations are possible to support young mothers. “Here, we are in an unreal situation. I understand the situation very well,” adds Mr. Blanchet. He notes that six or seven MPs have had children during the current legislature. “It works very well, but Kristina Michaud’s case is something else,” continues the Bloc leader.

“Kristina was very brilliant in the political world and she will come back, I am convinced of it,” praises Mr. Blanchette.

Without belittling the other members of his caucus, replacing Ms. Michaud at short notice will be a challenge. “We have an obligation to have a candidacy that will be brilliant. It’s a challenge that we will overcome in the coming days with enthusiasm,” he assures, adding that he does not want to drag things out, especially since an election could come quickly. “We have so much momentum that the choice of candidates is going very well,” says the leader.

Several names have been suggested

Asked whether Guy Bernatchez, who was a Bloc candidate in the last two elections, was approached, Mr. Blanchet remains reserved. “I am not mentioning any names because only one candidate will emerge at the end of the process and I do not want to overshadow those who will not be candidates,” explains the Bloc leader.

When contacted, Mr. Bernatchez, who was in the running in 2019 and 2021, finishing behind Liberal MP Diane Lebouthillier, did not want to give an interview. He simply mentioned that he would have to think about it.

The withdrawal of Ms. Michaud, who had indicated last April in Grande-Rivière that she was in the race in the new riding of Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj, has also sparked discussions within the Conservatives.

A Conservative candidate in 2015, 2019 and 2021 in Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Jean-Pierre Pigeon indicates that he is in discussions with the senior authorities of his party about a possible candidacy for the next election.

Having worked in the insurance industry for 50 years, Mr. Pigeon is focusing first on the end of his career as he has sold his firm. The transaction will be effective on March 1. If he decides to run, the man who has been campaigning for the party since the days of Joe Clark would be in his fourth fight against Liberal MP Diane Lebouthillier, first elected in 2015.

Asked to comment on Ms. Michaud’s departure, the Liberal MP sent a short reaction. “We hope she has a good end to her pregnancy and that she fully enjoys this precious moment as a mother,” said Ms. Lebouthillier from Newfoundland and Labrador, where she was on tour as the Minister of Fisheries.

Bloc leader understands Kristina Michaud’s decision Read More »