Gaspesie--Les Iles-de-la-Madeleine

One of Quebec's most geographically expansive ridings, Gaspesie--Les Iles-de-la-Madeleine stretches from the eastern half of the Gaspe Peninsula out into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to encompass the Magdalen Islands archipelago. The riding takes in fishing villages, boreal forest, the dramatic coastline of Perce and Forillon National Park, and the red sandstone cliffs of the Iles de la Madeleine. It is a region where livelihoods have historically depended on the sea, the forest, and a growing tourism sector.

Candidates

Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal) — The incumbent MP and Minister of National Revenue in the outgoing Liberal government, Lebouthillier was first elected in 2015. A former social worker who spent more than two decades at the CLSC in Chandler, she had served as prefect of the Le Rocher-Perce regional county municipality before entering federal politics.

Guy Bernatchez (Bloc Quebecois) — The mayor of Saint-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis and a forestry technician, Bernatchez focused his campaign on coastal erosion, regional immigration, and the forestry industry. He was formally nominated as the Bloc candidate in May 2019 in the presence of party leader Yves-Francois Blanchet.

Jean-Pierre Pigeon (Conservative) — A longtime Conservative activist with roughly four decades of involvement in party politics dating to the Progressive Conservative era, Pigeon had run in the riding in previous elections. He campaigned on economic development and supporting the region's resource industries.

Lynn Beaulieu (NDP) — A mental health intervention specialist and municipal councillor in La Martre, Beaulieu described herself as an activist and fighter, though she faced the challenge of covering the riding's vast territory during the campaign.

Dennis Drainville (Green Party) — A retired Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Quebec and former NDP member of the Ontario legislature, Drainville had taught humanities and history at the Cegep de la Gaspesie et des Iles for twelve years before his retirement from the episcopate in 2017. He brought an unusual mix of political, educational, and ecclesiastical experience to his candidacy.

Jay Cowboy ran for the Parti Rhinoceros Party and Eric Hebert for the People's Party.

About the Riding

The riding's economy rests on fishing, forestry, wind energy, and tourism. Perce Rock, Forillon National Park, and the Magdalen Islands' beaches and seal-watching excursions draw visitors from across Canada and abroad. Coastal erosion is a pressing concern, as rising seas and storm surges threaten roads, homes, and heritage buildings along the shoreline. The region's aging population and outmigration of young workers have made labour force renewal a persistent challenge, and seasonal employment patterns contribute to higher-than-average reliance on employment insurance. Federal issues in the 2019 campaign included fisheries management, coastal infrastructure protection, access to health services in remote communities, and the future of the forestry sector.