Hull--Aylmer

Situated on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, the riding of Hull--Aylmer encompasses the western sectors of the city of Gatineau, including the historic downtown core of Hull and the residential community of Aylmer. The riding is a compact urban district where many residents commute to federal government offices on both sides of the river.

Candidates

Greg Fergus (Liberal) -- Fergus earned a bachelor of social sciences from the University of Ottawa and a bachelor's degree in political science with a specialization in international relations from Carleton University. He had worked as a policy advisor in several federal ministerial offices and served as national director of the Liberal Party of Canada. After settling in the Gatineau area, he became active in community life, co-founding a neighbourhood association in Hull and serving on the board of directors of the Aylmer Arms seniors' residence.

Nycole Turmel (NDP) -- The incumbent MP, Turmel had a long career in the federal public service and the labour movement. She served as national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) from 2000 to 2006, where she played a key role in securing a major pay equity settlement for federal public servants. After winning Hull--Aylmer in the 2011 election -- the first time the riding had gone to a party other than the Liberals since its creation in 1914 -- she served as interim leader of the NDP and Leader of the Official Opposition after Jack Layton took a leave of absence in July 2011 for health reasons. She held the post until Thomas Mulcair's election as leader in March 2012.

Etienne Boulrice (Conservative) -- Boulrice represented the Conservative Party in the riding.

Maude Chouinard-Boucher (Bloc Quebecois) -- Chouinard-Boucher carried the Bloc Quebecois banner.

Roger Fleury (Green Party) -- Fleury represented the Green Party.

About the Riding

Hull--Aylmer has been a traditional Liberal stronghold for most of its history, reflecting the close relationship between the riding's residents and the federal government that employs so many of them. The downtown Hull sector houses the Place du Portage federal office complex, home to thousands of public servants, while Aylmer offers a quieter residential character along the shores of Lac Deschenes. Federal employment policy, language-of-work protections, and affordable housing in a growing urban area were prominent campaign themes. The 2015 race attracted particular attention because of the Turmel-Fergus matchup and a campaign controversy in which the NDP accused the Liberals of spreading a false rumour that Turmel was terminally ill -- an allegation the Liberals denied.