Laurier—Sainte-Marie

Anchored in Montreal’s cultural heartland, Laurier—Sainte-Marie stretches from the base of Mount Royal south to the St. Lawrence River, encompassing much of the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough and parts of Ville-Marie. The riding’s densely populated streets, bohemian character, and vibrant arts scene have long made it a distinctive voice in federal politics—it was here that the Bloc Québécois won its first-ever seat in a 1990 by-election.

Candidates

Hélène Laverdière (NDP) — A career diplomat who had served in Washington, Dakar, and Santiago before earning a PhD in sociology from the University of Bath, Laverdière defeated Gilles Duceppe in the 2011 election to claim this riding. As an MP, she served as the NDP’s critic for foreign affairs and international cooperation.

Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Québécois) — The longest-serving Bloc Québécois leader, Duceppe had represented this riding from 1990 until his defeat in 2011. A former hospital orderly and union organizer, he led the party through multiple federal elections, reaching a peak of 54 seats in 2004. He returned to the Bloc leadership in June 2015, replacing Mario Beaulieu, and sought to reclaim his old seat.

Christine Poirier (Liberal) — An entrepreneur, Poirier had founded Momzelle, a company producing nursing and maternity clothing. She campaigned in the riding while expecting her second child.

Daniel Gaudreau (Conservative) — Gaudreau stood as the Conservative candidate in a riding where the party has historically finished well back.

Cyrille Giraud (Green Party) — Giraud represented the Green Party in this central Montreal riding.

About the Riding

Laurier—Sainte-Marie’s population of roughly 112,000 is predominantly francophone, though nearly a quarter of residents were born outside Canada, reflecting the neighbourhood’s role as a landing point for newcomers. The Plateau-Mont-Royal’s walkable streets, independent shops, and café culture define the northern half of the riding, while the areas south of Sherbrooke Street retain a more working-class character. The riding is home to a dense concentration of artists, cultural workers, and university students, contributing to a progressive political culture. Affordable housing was a pressing issue by 2015, as rising rents and condominium conversions pushed longstanding residents out of the neighbourhood. Arts and culture funding, immigration and refugee policy, and environmental protection were also prominent themes in a riding where the sovereigntist vote had historically been strong but was now split between the Bloc and the NDP.