On March 17, 2025, voters descended on the Terrabonne riding, situated northeast of Montreal, to participate in what many view as a pivotal byelection to fill the seat left vacant by former economy minister Pierre Fitzgibbon, who departed from politics last September. Polling stations were open until 8 p.m. on this day, and as the afternoon progressed, early turnout figures indicated approximately 25% of registered voters had already cast their ballots. This number accounted for over 13% of the 61,450 individuals on the electoral list who had exercised their right to vote during advance polling days.
This byelection features nine candidates, representing not only the major parties but also several smaller groups. Among them, Alex Gagné is the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) candidate, striving to retain the seat for his party. He faces strong competition from Catherine Gentilcore of the Parti Québécois (PQ), who has quickly become the favorite, bolstered by her party's attention to reclaim the riding historically dominated by them. Other candidates include Virginie Bouchard from the Quebec Liberal Party, Nadia Poirier from Québec Solidaire, and Ange Claude Bigilimana from the Conservative Party of Quebec. Smaller parties also feature candidates, such as Benoit Beauchamp from Climat Québec and Eric Bernier of the Union Nationale.
Fitzgibbon's resignation in September 2024 opened the door for this election, andGagné is stepping up to represent the CAQ, which has held the seat since the government was formed in 2018. Before the CAQ's tenure, the soil of Terrabonne was famously fertile ground for the PQ, with successive representatives winning from 1976 until 2018, save for a fleeting period from 2007 to 2008, during which Mario Dumont's Action Dmocratique du Qubec occupied the seat.
Analyzing the past electoral outcomes, the CAQ peaked significantly with 49.44% of the vote during last year's provincial general election. Meanwhile, the PQ lagged behind at 18.88%. Yet, with the current race, projections seem to lean favorably toward the PQ, which is riding the wave of polling success under the leadership of party president Gentilcore. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the PQ, has been diligently campaigning, emphasizing their historical connection to the riding.
The political environment surrounding this byelection is particularly charged, especially under the shadows of trade tensions between Canada and the United States. Premier François Legault, whose party sits with 86 seats, has been making the rounds to maintain momentum for the CAQ. Recently, he was noted to be visiting Washington, D.C., attempting to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider tariffs on Canadian products, coinciding with the electoral timeline.
Legault conceded during the campaign, admitting, "It is always difficult for a government to win a byelection," illustrating the uphill battle his CAQ faces against the well-forged relationship the PQ has with the constituency. The Premier's direct intervention included just one visit to Terrabonne, where he attended the opening of a local steel structure factory with his candidate Gagné on March 10, 2025.
This election is tinged with anticipation, as projections by Qc125 give the PQ's candidacy almost unparalleled odds—at 98%—to take the seat. The atmosphere leading up to the vote has caught attention and reaffirms the historical significance of the constituency's political heritage.
Now, as the polls close and counting begins, the question looms—will the CAQ manage to fend off the PQ's resurgence and retain its grasp on this pivotal seat, or will the weight of tradition pull the political strings back to the PQ? According to Élections Québec, initial results are expected to be available between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., and the estimated financial commitment to conduct this election amounts to around $725,000, raising the stakes not just politically but financially as well.
For those observing the Terrabonne byelection, the results may pave the road for future party strategies and implementations for both the CAQ and PQ. Meanwhile, voters should find it heartening to participate amid heightened political engagement
Voter turnout and interest appear to remain strong, setting the stage for future political endeavors as Quebec continues to navigate its eclectic political terrain. Voters have the chance to express their views, which may define the hope for their representation moving forward and encapsulate the essence of democratic participation at its finest.
