Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est

Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est is a newly drawn federal riding in Montreal's east end, created through the 2022 redistribution. It encompasses the historic neighbourhood of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, the eastern portion of Rosemont, and part of the Centre-Sud district in the Borough of Ville-Marie. The area has deep working-class roots—Maisonneuve grew into one of Canada's largest industrial suburbs during the early twentieth century before economic decline set in during the 1980s. In recent years, the neighbourhood has undergone significant gentrification, with condominium development transforming formerly industrial blocks and sparking tensions between long-time residents and newcomers.

Candidates

Marie-Gabrielle Ménard (Liberal) was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate and won the seat in a newly created riding with no incumbent. She campaigned on Liberal priorities including early learning and child care, housing affordability, and food security.

Rose Lessard (Bloc Québécois) is president of the Bloc Québécois Youth Forum and the granddaughter of Yves Lessard, a former Bloc MP and current mayor of Saint-Basile-le-Grand. She holds a master's degree in international studies from the Université de Montréal and a bachelor's in political science from UQAM with concentrations in international relations and feminist studies. Her international experience includes work with the Franco-Quebec Political Action Committee, a posting at the General Delegation for International Relations of the City of Paris, and fieldwork in Benin promoting women's economic empowerment.

Julie Girard-Lemay (NDP) is a human-rights lawyer, feminist activist, and union member who has lived, studied, and been active in housing cooperatives in the riding. She has led constitutional challenge cases on issues including equal pay for women and rights for migrants and racialized communities.

Carl Belley (Conservative) carried the Conservative banner in this traditionally left-leaning Montreal riding.

Jacob Pirro (Green Party) represented the Green Party of Canada.

Christine Dandenault (Marxist-Leninist) ran for the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada.

About the Riding

Hochelaga-Maisonneuve's transformation from a struggling working-class district into a gentrifying urban neighbourhood defines the riding's politics. Rising rents and condo conversions have displaced lower-income residents, and community organizations have long sounded the alarm over diminishing affordable-housing stock. The neighbourhood's median income remains below the Montreal average, and a significant proportion of residents are renters.

The Rosemont portion of the riding contributes a more middle-class residential character, with tree-lined streets and a growing creative-sector presence. Institutional anchors include the Collège de Maisonneuve and the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, one of Montreal's major healthcare facilities.

In 2025, housing affordability was the overriding local concern, as Montreal rents continued to climb and vacancy rates remained historically low. The cost of living, healthcare access, and the future of social services in a rapidly changing neighbourhood were central to the campaign. As a newly created riding, the contest attracted candidates from across the spectrum competing to define the seat's political identity from the outset.