Châteauguay–Lacolle (Quebec) 65/338

 Châteauguay–Lacolle (Quebec)

Hello friends! We're back after an election with a rather noteworthy riding, Châteauguay–Lacolle!

Châteauguay–Lacolle has existed as a riding since the 2012 redistribution, created from Beauharnois—Salaberry and Châteauguay—Saint-Constant. The population was 97,887 in 2016. The riding is named for the city of Châteauguay and the southern municipality of Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle.

Politically, this riding has a big urban/rural divide, with the northern anglophone city of Châteauguay voting more Liberal and the rural portions of the riding voting for the Bloc. In 2019, this seat had only a 1.2% margin between the Bloc and the Liberals. However, that changed in 2021 when the Bloc flipped the riding by 0.6%. The riding will be represented by Bloc MP Patrick O'Hara.

What makes the flip so important? This was the only flip in Quebec in 2021! In 2019, 26/78 ridings flipped. For a province so volatile, its interesting how only one riding changed. The Conservatives made ground in the Montérégie, but not enough to flip, the NDP made ground in Montreal, but it was a pretty uneventful election in Quebec this time around. In 2019, this seat was 4/78 in Quebec and 13/338 in Canada by margin.

Rating:

Name: 8.8/10 - Definitely boosted because the biggest city is in the name, I don't mind the Lacolle part, but I do wish the municipality had more than 1,500 people.

Shape: 7.9/10 - It's a bit too jagged for me, but it follows municipal lines, so I can't be too mad.

Individuality: 8.7/10 - Shout out to this riding for standing out and flipping this election.

Total: 25.4/30 (84.7%)

Tomorrow we're back in Ontario with Chatham—Kent—Leamington!