Abitibi—Témiscamingue

Situated in Quebec's southwest corner along the Ontario border, Abitibi—Témiscamingue spans from the Ottawa River northward into the boreal forest, divided by a watershed that sends water south to the St. Lawrence and north to James Bay. The riding's principal communities include Rouyn-Noranda, Amos, La Sarre, and Ville-Marie, along with several Algonquin reserves including Pikogan near Amos and Kebaowek-Eagle Village in the Témiscamingue area.

Candidates

Christine Moore (NDP) — First elected in 2011, Moore trained as a medical technician with the Canadian Forces, serving for over three years before completing a nursing degree at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). In Parliament, she was named deputy critic for health in January 2015 and had previously served as critic for military procurement. She gave birth during the 2015 campaign and continued canvassing with her newborn daughter.

Claude Thibault (Liberal) — Thibault presented herself as a candidate focused on economic development, with priorities that included investing in infrastructure for natural resource extraction and supporting innovation in the forestry sector. She met with Algonquin chiefs in the Témiscamingue area during the campaign to discuss Indigenous concerns.

Yvon Moreau (Bloc Québécois) — A former journalist who had worked in the region, Moreau was the first candidate announced by the Bloc in the riding. He campaigned on defending Quebec's interests in Ottawa, focusing on resource development and the proposed Energy East pipeline.

Benoit Fortin (Conservative) — Fortin was the Conservative standard-bearer in the riding but maintained a low profile during the campaign.

About the Riding

The economy of Abitibi—Témiscamingue revolves around natural resource extraction, particularly mining, forestry, and agriculture. The region sits atop the prolific Abitibi gold belt, and mining operations for gold, copper, and zinc have sustained communities for generations. The forestry sector, though buffeted by the softwood lumber disputes with the United States and mill closures in the early 2010s, remained a significant employer. The proposed Energy East pipeline, which would have carried Alberta crude oil through Quebec, was a divisive issue in the riding, touching on tensions between economic opportunity and environmental protection. Federal investment in infrastructure—roads, broadband connectivity, and health facilities—was a pressing concern in a region where distances between communities are great and services can be sparse. The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) anchors the region's post-secondary education and research activity, with campuses in Rouyn-Noranda, Val-d'Or, and Amos.