Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques

Stretching across more than 8,000 square kilometres of Quebec's Bas-Saint-Laurent region, this riding follows the south shore of the lower St. Lawrence River from northeast of Rivière-du-Loup through to the Rimouski area. It takes in the regional capital of Rimouski—home to approximately 47,000 residents—alongside smaller centres such as Trois-Pistoles and Dégelis. The riding borders New Brunswick to the south and touches the Maine frontier at its southwestern corner.

Candidates

Guy Caron (NDP) — A Rimouski native, Caron studied communications at the University of Ottawa and later earned a master's in economics from the Université du Québec à Montréal. Before entering Parliament he worked as a researcher and economist with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. Elected in the 2011 NDP sweep of Quebec, Caron served on the Standing Committee on Finance and sought re-election as the riding's incumbent.

Pierre Cadieux (Liberal) — Cadieux carried the Liberal banner in a region where the party had historically been weak, hoping to ride the national momentum building behind Justin Trudeau's campaign.

Johanne Carignan (Bloc Québécois) — Carignan ran for the Bloc in a riding that had been a sovereigntist stronghold before the 2011 orange wave swept the party's incumbents aside.

Francis Fortin (Conservative) — Fortin represented the Conservative Party in a part of Quebec where the party traditionally draws limited support.

Louise Boutin ran for the Green Party and Sébastien Côrriveau ran under the Rhinoceros Party banner.

About the Riding

Rimouski anchors the constituency as the largest service centre in eastern Quebec. The Université du Québec à Rimouski, with its specializations in marine science and northern studies, is a major employer and the engine of the city's knowledge economy. The regional hospital is one of the riding's largest workplaces. Beyond Rimouski the economy turns to forestry, agriculture, and seasonal tourism: the Témiscouata and Bas-Saint-Laurent countryside draws visitors for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and the scenic Route des Navigateurs along the river. Federal transfer payments and support for seasonal industries are persistent concerns in a region that contends with population decline and youth out-migration. The state of rural broadband, the future of regional rail service, and federal funding for small harbours along the St. Lawrence were all campaign-trail issues in 2015.