In this section
Subject matter
- Electoral division delimitation criteria
- Electoral division delimitation process
General objective
Ensure the timely adoption of a new electoral map, following an impartial and fair process based on consultation with all stakeholders.
Background
The electoral map is revised every two general elections. The process of delimiting electoral divisions is entrusted to the Commission de la représentation électorale (CRE), which is made up of the Chief Electoral Officer and two commissioners.
The delimitation of electoral divisions must respect the principle of effective representation. This principle involves striking a balance between:
- The equality of the vote, which requires all 125 electoral divisions in Québec to have roughly the same number of electors;
- Respect for natural communities, which means that electoral division delimitations must take into account geographic, demographic and sociological characteristics.
The Election Act stipulates that the number of electors per electoral division may vary from the average by plus or minus 25%. Exceptional electoral divisions, which exceed this deviation, can be set up if necessary.
There are three main steps leading up to the adoption of a new electoral map in Québec.
- The proposal for the preliminary delimitation of electoral divisions and their names, drawn up by the CRE and submitted for consultation to citizens, MNAs and interested organizations. This first report is also submitted to the Commission de l’Assemblée nationale.
- The revised delimitation proposal, drawn up by the CRE on the basis of consultations. This second report is the subject of a five-hour debate in the Assemblée nationale.
- Final establishment of the delimitations of the electoral divisions by the CRE.
Challenges
The participation of stakeholders (i.e., citizens, MNAs and organizations) is of paramount importance to the CRE: it contributes directly to the quality and acceptability of the electoral map. Nevertheless:
- The Election Act does not set a deadline for the Commission de l’Assemblée nationale to study the preliminary report (stage 1), which could compromise the map’s entry into force.
- Following the filing of the second report (stage 2), the Election Act provides only for a five-hour debate in the Assemblée nationale. It does not allow for further consultation with interested citizens and organizations. The CRE must draw up the final electoral division delimitations and their names within ten days after the debate in the Assemblée nationale.
Recommendations
The Commission de la représentation électorale is making two recommendations for legislative amendments related to the electoral division delimitation process.
Strengthen the impartiality, independence and fairness of the delimitation process
- Set a deadline for the Commission de l’Assemblée nationale to convene the Commission de la représentation électorale following the filing of its preliminary report.
The deadlines for the various steps of the delimitation process are well established, but there are a few exceptions, including the consideration of the CRE’s preliminary report by the Commission de l’Assemblée nationale. The last two revisions of the electoral map experienced significant delays at this step of the process. We recommend that this deadline be set in the Act, nine months after the preliminary report filing. - Add a 45-day consultation period following the filing of the second report of the Commission de la représentation électorale.
After filing its second report, the CRE has 15 days to draw up the electoral division delimitations. This report is debated for five hours in the Assemblée nationale within five days of its filing, but citizens and organizations cannot express their opinions at this stage. A 45-day public consultation period would allow the population to formally comment on the revised delimitation proposal.