According to the report tabled in the House of Commons by the Commission, the riding of Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia would still be wiped off the map, as the Commission suggested last summer in a first report before beginning its round of consultations.

The electoral division of Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine would thus become Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine–Listuguj, as initially proposed, but it would now include the MRC of La Matanie.

The riding of Rimouski–La Matapédia would be created and would also include the MRC of La Mitis and the Basques.

Finally, the MRC of Témiscouata would be added to the electoral division of Montmagny–L’Islet–Kamouraska–Rivière du Loup, which would thus become Montmagny–Témiscouata–Kataskomiq.

In its report, the Commission confirms the disappearance of the electoral division of Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia, essentially for statistical reasons.

Rarely have the commissioners heard so much ill of “mathematics” as during these four days of hearing! write the commissioners in their report.

The commissioners still justify the abolition of this riding by the excessive difference in the population of the two current Gaspé ridings compared to the average population of Canadian ridings.

Raising of shields

The potential disappearance of the riding of Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia had caused a real generalized outcry from regional elected officials.

The MP for this riding, the Bloc member Kristina Michaud, had also, like many others, argued in favor of the status quo.

This redistricting proposal is not final. The Commission’s report will be translated by a committee of the House of Commons.

MEPs’ criticisms and opposition to this proposal will be studied by the Commission, which will then take a final decision.

North Shore: reference to First Nations

On the North Shore, the Commission proposes renaming the electoral division of Manicouagan to include a reference to the Innu and Naskapi communities of the region.

The Commission therefore proposes to change the name of the electoral division to Côte-Nord–Kawawachikamach–Uapashke.

Once its final proposal has been tabled, the new electoral map would come into effect in August 2024.

With information from Roxanne Langlois and Edouard beaudouin