Montcalm (Quebec) 191/338

 Montcalm (Quebec)

Today we're in Quebec with Montcalm!

Montcalm has existed as a riding in its current form since 2004, but previously existed from Confederation until 1917. The population of this riding was 118,746 in 2021. The riding contains the communities of Mascouche (51,183 in 2021), Saint-Lin–Laurentides (24,030 in 2021), and Sainte-Julienne (11,173 in 2021).

Politically, this seat has been Bloc for all but four years since 1993. The NDP won in 2011 by more than 20 points. 2011-2015 MP Manon Perreault was ejected from caucus after being charged with public mischief and eventually convicted. She ran in 2015 under the Strength in Democracy banner, performing okay relative to other SD candidates. This seat is currently represented by Bloc MP Luc Thériault.

Provincially, the southern portion of this riding is represented by Quebec premier François Legault. From 1998-2009, he represented Rousseau as a PQ MNA, which contains more of this federal riding. In 2011, he co-founded a new political movement, the Coalition Avenir Québec, slowly rising up the ranks in 2012 and 2014, before winning a majority government in 2018. Currently, the CAQ is polling at the mid forties, with no clear opposition party in contention for government. In 2019, this seat was 69/78 in Quebec and 284/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is good, at least half of the population is in the Montcalm Regional County Municipality. The shape is also quite good, not a huge fan of the area around L’Épiphanie. As for individuality, come October, I'm sure there won't be much individuality across the province.

Tomorrow, we'll be in eastern Quebec with Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup!