Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine

Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine is a vast federal riding covering the eastern portion of the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The riding takes in the regional county municipalities of Bonaventure, La Côte-de-Gaspé, Le Rocher-Percé, and Avignon, as well as the Municipality of Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine. With a regional population of approximately 93,000 as of the 2011 census, it is one of Quebec's most geographically expansive ridings, stretching along hundreds of kilometres of coastline.

Candidates

Philip Toone (NDP) — Born in Ottawa in 1965, Toone was a teacher and notary who had settled in the Gaspésie community of Maria. He had previously run in the riding as an NDP candidate in the 2000 and 2004 federal elections. He was making his third attempt at the seat in 2011.

Daniel Côté (Bloc Québécois) — A lawyer from Grande-Vallée, Côté had worked as an associate at the Gaspesian law firm Jeannotte, Plourde, Côté, and had also served as municipal coordinator and communications manager for the City of Gaspé. He was a first-time federal candidate, stepping forward after the incumbent Bloc MP Raynald Blais chose not to seek re-election.

Régent Bastien (Conservative) — Bastien ran as the Conservative candidate in the riding.

Jules Duguay (Liberal) — Duguay carried the Liberal banner in the Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine riding.

Julien Leblanc (Green Party) — Leblanc ran as the Green Party candidate.

About the Riding

Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine encompasses some of Quebec's most remote and scenic territory. The Gaspé Peninsula's rugged coastline, anchored by the town of Gaspé near its eastern tip and the iconic Percé Rock further south, has long drawn visitors but presents serious challenges for economic development. The riding also includes the Mi'kmaq communities of Gesgapegiag and Listuguj along the Baie des Chaleurs.

The economy has historically depended on fishing, forestry, and seasonal tourism. The northern cod moratorium of 1992 devastated the region's fishing communities, and while shellfish harvesting — particularly snow crab and shrimp — partially replaced the groundfish economy, the industry remained seasonal and vulnerable to quota changes. Forestry and wood products processing provided additional employment, though the sector was under pressure from declining demand for pulp and paper. Wind energy had emerged as a growing industry, with wind turbine component manufacturing by LM Wind Power providing jobs in the Gaspé area.

The Magdalen Islands, an archipelago of about 13,000 residents in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, depend heavily on lobster fishing, tourism, and the seal hunt. The islands' geographic isolation creates distinct transportation and supply-chain challenges.

As of 2011, the riding faced among the highest unemployment rates and lowest median incomes in Quebec. Population decline and aging demographics were persistent concerns, as younger residents left for employment in urban centres. Access to healthcare, the state of regional transportation links, and the future of seasonal employment insurance benefits were pressing local issues heading into the election.