Revision of the electoral map of Québec - The Commission de la représentation électorale tables its preliminary report Français
QUEBEC CITY, March 17, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Commission de la représentation électorale (CRE) tabled today, in the National Assembly, its new electoral map proposal for Québec. Pursuant to the Election Act, this revision process is required every two elections. It aims to ensure fair and equitable representation of electors, particularly taking into account their numerical growth rates in each of the 125 electoral divisions. We should remember that the current map, adopted in 2011 and used in the past two provincial elections, was established based on the number of electors in November 2007.
The Chair of the Commission de la représentation électorale, Lucie Fiset, stated that "Since the adoption of the last map, demographic evolution has continued, more strongly in certain regions than in others. The CRE's job is to analyze the most recent demographic data to present a map which is a reflection of Québec, to ensure better balance in terms of electoral representation. I want to emphasize that since the beginning of our work, we have been paying special attention to the characteristics of different regions. Certain changes in delimitation are needed but they will be made respecting natural communities."
The main changes proposed
The changes to the electoral map firstly affect the Laurentides-Lanaudière region. The addition of two new electoral divisions (Les Plaines and Prévost) is required due to the considerable increase in the number of electors on this territory. As such, the number of electoral divisions in the region better corresponds to its electoral weight in the province.
Two other regions, Île-de-Montréal and Mauricie, will each have one electoral division withdrawn, given that their respective number of electoral divisions no longer corresponds to their electoral weight in the province.
As regards Île-de-Montréal, the delimitation proposal includes 27 electoral divisions, and the proposed changes affect 9 electoral divisions. As for the Mauricie region, its number of electoral divisions declines from five to four. New delimitations are suggested by the Commission so as to better distribute electors in these four electoral divisions.
Moreover, the CRE is proposing to modify the delimitation of 14 electoral divisions, across 5 other regions, in order to establish a better balance of their electoral populations.
| Other electoral regions where delimitation |
Targeted electoral divisions |
| Montérégie |
La Pinière and Laporte |
| Vaudreuil and Soulanges |
|
| Outaouais |
Hull, Gatineau, Chapleau and Papineau |
| Laval |
Chomedey and Fabre |
| Capitale-Nationale |
Chauveau and Charlesbourg |
| Estrie–Centre-du-Québec |
Richmond and Orford |
Exceptional negative deviations justified by the CRE
Given their characteristics and considerable size, the Commission gives exceptional status to six electoral divisions. It considers that the strict enforcement of the numerical criterion of ±25% deviation from the average does not ensure effective representation of electors. This applies to the following six electoral divisions:
|
|
|
The electoral division of Îles-de-la-Madeleine also has exceptional status due to its low number of electors. It should be noted, however, that the Commission has no jurisdiction over the delimitation of this electoral division since it is stipulated in the Election Act.
In seven regions, the status quo is maintained
Lastly, in seven regions of Québec, the status quo is maintained as regards the current delimitation of electoral divisions. These regions are Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Bas-St-Laurent, Chaudière-Appalaches, Côte-Nord, Gaspésie, Nord-du-Québec and Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean.
An invitation to comment on the CRE proposal
The changes made to the electoral map of Québec are formulated as proposals, and the CRE will hear the comments of all interested parties. The Commission will hold public hearings from this coming April 21 to May 21, in the regions of Québec in which electoral divisions are modified by the proposal. Subsequently, the CRE will carefully analyze all presentations made before it, then table a revised delimitation proposal in the National Assembly.
Anyone looking for more information on the proposal for the new electoral map can visit the website at lacarte.electionsquebec.qc.ca
Some data relating to the changes to the electoral map
| Proposed electoral map |
|
| Total number of electors according to the permanent list |
6,048,383
(dated November 30, 2014*) |
| Average number of electors per electoral division upper limit (+25%) lower limit (-25%) |
48,387 |
| 60,484 |
|
| 36,290 |
|
| Number of electoral divisions whose proposed |
36
|
* This date was determined by the Commission in order to produce the preliminary report tabled today.
SOURCE Directeur général des élections
Source: Sonia Fontaine, Information Officer, 418-644-3320 or 1-888-870-3320, [email protected]
Share this article