Montmorency--Charlevoix

Montmorency--Charlevoix is a vast federal electoral district stretching from the northeastern suburbs of Quebec City through the scenic Côte-de-Beaupré corridor, across Île d'Orléans, and into the dramatic landscapes of the Charlevoix region along the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River. Created through the 2023 redistribution to replace the former Beauport--Côte-de-Beaupré--Île d'Orléans--Charlevoix riding, this new configuration produced one of the most surprising results of the 2025 election.

Candidates

Gabriel Hardy (Conservative) -- A kinesiologist, gym owner in Quebec City, and executive director of Fitness Industry Canada, Hardy advocated for physical activity, community health, and support for small businesses in the wellness sector, particularly during the COVID-19 restrictions that severely affected gyms and fitness operations. He was acclaimed as the Conservative candidate on March 20, 2025, though his selection by the national party overrode a local riding association recommendation.

Caroline Desbiens (Bloc Québécois) -- The incumbent MP, Desbiens was first elected in 2019 after defeating the Conservative incumbent. Originally from L'Isle-aux-Coudres, she had a background in music and Quebec cultural heritage before entering politics. As MP, she became known for her advocacy on fisheries issues, particularly concerning capelin stocks and coastal community livelihoods.

Alex Ouellet-Bélanger (Liberal) -- An engineer specializing in artificial intelligence, Ouellet-Bélanger began his career in Silicon Valley before returning to Canada in 2009. A resident of Boischatel since 2014, he left the private sector to seek the Liberal nomination.

Gérard Briand (NDP) -- The NDP candidate, Briand represented the party in a riding where it has traditionally drawn limited support in a contest between the Bloc and the Conservatives.

Élie Prud'Homme-Tessier (Green Party) -- The Green candidate in the riding, Prud'Homme-Tessier offered an environmentally focused alternative in a region with strong ties to the natural landscape.

Bart Cortenbach (People's Party - PPC) -- Cortenbach represented the People's Party of Canada, advocating for the party's libertarian-leaning platform.

About the Riding

Montmorency--Charlevoix is one of Quebec's most geographically diverse ridings. It begins in the suburban fringe of Quebec City, taking in communities like Lac-Beauport and Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval, then follows the Saint Lawrence northeast through the historic Côte-de-Beaupré corridor past the iconic Montmorency Falls and the pilgrimage site of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Île d'Orléans, a pastoral island in the Saint Lawrence renowned for its agricultural heritage and artisanal producers, sits at the riding's heart. Beyond the island, the riding extends into Charlevoix, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve celebrated for its mountains plunging into the river, its artists' colonies, and resort communities like Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie.

The 2025 result was widely regarded as a stunning upset. The riding had been expected to remain in Bloc hands under Desbiens, but Hardy's victory represented one of the few Conservative gains in Quebec. Analysts pointed to the Conservative party's focus on affordability and economic concerns, combined with Hardy's profile as a local small business advocate, as key factors in flipping the seat. The three-way split among the Bloc, Liberal, and Conservative vote also played a role in the outcome.