Mégantic–L'Érable (Quebec) 178/338

 Mégantic–L'Érable (Quebec)

Today we're in eastern Quebec with Mégantic–L'Érable!

Mégantic–L'Érable has existed as a riding since the 2003 redistribution, created from Frontenac—Mégantic and Lotbinière—L'Érable. The population of the riding was 88,894 in 2021. The riding contains the communities of Thetford Mines (26,072 in 2021), Plessisville (6,414 in 2021), and Lac-Mégantic (5,747 in 2021).

Politically, this seat is in the Conservative heartland of Quebec (yes, they have one of those). Starting in 2006, this seat has been Conservative by double digits, though the Bloc typically doesn't do too bad here. It has gotten more Conservative in recent years, with over 50% of the riding voting for the Conservatives in 2021, the first party to do that since 1993, when the Bloc won over 50% in three of the four former ridings. The seat is currently represented by Conservative MP Luc Berthold.

With the recent rise in the Conservative Party of Quebec in the polls, this is a region where that could materialize. In the past two elections, the two ridings here have taken a turn to the "conservative" party of the moment (Liberals in 2014, CAQ in 2018). However, the main issue in Éric Duhaime's way is the dominance of the CAQ and their likely supermajority in October. In 2019, this seat was 50/78 in Quebec and 221/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is okay, I wish there was some mention of Les Appalaches since it has the most population. The shape is fine, I'm not the biggest fan of the way this region is shaped, reminds me too much of the old Toronto "bacon" ridings. As for individuality, it has quickly become the most Conservative riding east of Manitoba. 

Tomorrow we're back in Ontario with Milton!