Eastern Quebec: MP Diane Lebouthillier is strongly opposed to the electoral redistribution

The Member of Parliament for Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Diane Lebouthillier, is opposed to the proposed electoral redistribution that would eliminate one of the four federal ridings in Eastern Quebec.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Quebec published on Friday an outline that would split Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia in two, since it is the least populous riding in the region, if not the province.

La nouvelle carte électorale proposée (source : Élections Canada)

A portion of the territory would be absorbed by Gaspésie and the Islands, which would be renamed Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj, which Diane Lebouthillier is fiercely opposed to.

The Liberal MP has already initiated discussions with other elected officials in Eastern Quebec, including Bloc Québécois member Kristina Michaud, to mobilize political and citizen pressure on the Commission.

En rose, ce qui s’ajouterait à la circonscription si la proposition était acceptée (source données : Élections Canada // montage maison)

In her opinion, the revision of the electoral map as proposed would make it impossible to fairly represent the population, whose realities are already very different from one corner of the riding to another.

Lebouthillier says she contacted Mayor Jonathan Lapierre earlier this week to address the issue.

In addition, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Quebec will be conducting a round of public hearings in early September to consult with concerned citizens.

It should be noted that no meetings are planned on the archipelago.