Lac-Saint-Jean

Lac-Saint-Jean is a federal riding in Quebec's Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, centred on the communities surrounding Lac Saint-Jean, one of the largest natural lakes in the province. The by-election was called following the resignation of Conservative MP Denis Lebel, a former cabinet minister and deputy leader of the Conservative Party. Lebel announced his departure from politics on June 19, 2017, to join the Québec Forest Industry Council, and his seat was formally vacated on August 9, 2017.

Candidates

Richard Hébert (Liberal) — Hébert was the mayor of Dolbeau-Mistassini at the time of his candidacy, having served in that role since November 2013. Born and raised in the riding, he was nominated as the Liberal candidate in an open vote by local party members.

Rémy Leclerc (Conservative) — Leclerc was a former Roberval city councillor who was acclaimed as the Conservative candidate for the by-election.

Marc Maltais (Bloc Québécois) — Maltais was a labour union activist who had gained public prominence during the 2012 lockout of workers at the Rio Tinto Alcan aluminum plant in Alma. He had the backing of the local aluminum workers' union.

Gisèle Dallaire (NDP) — Dallaire was the NDP candidate in the by-election.

About the Riding

The riding surrounds Lac Saint-Jean, a massive lake covering over 1,000 square kilometres located in south-central Quebec, approximately 200 kilometres north of Quebec City. The lake is fed by several major rivers including the Ashuapmushuan, Mistassini, and Péribonka. Major communities in the riding include Alma, Dolbeau-Mistassini, Roberval, and Saint-Félicien, all situated along the lake's perimeter.

The regional economy has been built on natural resources since European settlement. Forestry and the pulp and paper industry have long been dominant employers, though the sector has faced significant challenges and mill closures in recent decades. Aluminum smelting is a major industry, with the Rio Tinto Alcan facility in Alma serving as one of the region's largest employers. Agriculture—particularly blueberry farming, for which the region is famous across Quebec—and dairy farming also contribute significantly to the local economy. Tourism and hydroelectric power generation round out the economic base.

The riding is almost entirely francophone, with over 98% of residents speaking French as their mother tongue. Like much of Quebec's resource-dependent regions, Lac-Saint-Jean has experienced gradual population decline and faces challenges with youth outmigration to larger urban centres. The riding and its predecessors had not elected a Liberal MP since 1980, making it a key test of Liberal strength in Quebec.