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Quebec Government to Appeal Supreme Court Order on Electoral Map Revision

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, December 24th 2025 at 12:20 GMT by The Globe and Mail

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Quebec’s Government Announces Appeal Over Supreme Court‑Mandated Electoral‑Map Revisions

The Quebec government has officially announced that it will pursue an appeal against a recent decision by the Supreme Court of Canada that requires the province to revise its electoral map. The ruling, which came after a legal challenge by the governing Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) against earlier boundary changes, forces the province to readjust several ridings to better reflect population shifts and constitutional principles of representation by population. In the following summary, we unpack the background of the dispute, the Supreme Court’s reasoning, the government’s next steps, and what the changes could mean for Quebec’s political landscape.

A Quick Look Back: Why the Court Had to Step In

In 2019, the CAQ, which had come to power in 2018, pushed forward an electoral‑map amendment that would create a number of new ridings and alter boundaries in key regions, such as Montreal, the Laurentides, and the Bas‑Saint‑Laurent. The objective was to accommodate the province’s population growth and to balance representation across its 125 seats in the National Assembly. However, the amendments were contested by the Liberal opposition, the Quebec Liberal Party, and the Parti Québécois (PQ), who argued that the changes would favor the CAQ and violate the “representation by population” principle embedded in Quebec’s constitution.

The dispute escalated to the courts, with the Liberal Party filing a lawsuit that ultimately reached the Supreme Court. The Court had to interpret the constitutional requirement that electoral districts must be roughly equal in population, as well as assess whether the province had adequately considered other factors such as communities of interest and historical boundaries.

The Supreme Court’s Decision

In a 6‑to‑3 decision issued in October, the Supreme Court ruled that the CAQ’s earlier amendments had not complied with the required standard. Chief Justice Richard Wagner, writing for the majority, emphasized that a provincial electoral map must reflect the principle of “representation by population” with an acceptable margin of deviation. The Court noted that the CAQ’s map had produced disparities that were too wide, particularly in the Quebec City‑Cap‑Breton area, where the CAQ had attempted to carve out a new riding for its supporters.

The majority also found that the CAQ had not sufficiently considered factors such as communities of interest and the continuity of riding boundaries. Consequently, the Court ordered a comprehensive readjustment of the electoral map, effective for the next provincial election. The decision highlighted that the provincial government had the statutory authority to make such changes, but must do so in a manner consistent with constitutional guarantees.

A dissenting opinion, delivered by Justice Charles Gonthier, argued that the Court had overstepped its role, pointing to the provincial legislature’s capacity to enact boundary changes. Nonetheless, the majority’s ruling stands, and the province is now compelled to enact a revised map.

The CAQ’s Decision to Appeal

The CAQ’s leadership announced on the evening of the ruling that it would seek to have the decision overturned in a full appeal before the Supreme Court. The party’s spokesperson, Pierre‑Émile Rousseau, described the decision as “unfair” and emphasized that it threatened to erode the CAQ’s electoral advantage in several suburban ridings.

The appeal will be lodged with the Supreme Court’s “full appeal” procedure, which allows a lower court’s decision to be reviewed in its entirety. If the Court rejects the appeal, the CAQ would have to accept the new boundaries. If the Court grants the appeal, the provincial government would need to draft a new map that addresses the concerns raised by the initial decision.

While the CAQ has expressed confidence in its legal strategy, analysts note that the odds are heavily weighted against the party. Supreme Court precedent indicates that challenges to electoral‑map adjustments based on population inequities have rarely succeeded, especially when the province has already provided evidence that it attempted to meet constitutional standards.

Political Fallout and What It Means for Quebec

The new electoral map could reshape the balance of power in Quebec’s National Assembly. According to preliminary analyses, the CAQ stands to lose a few seats in regions where the map has been tightened—most notably in the Montreal West‑Centre area, where the party had previously enjoyed a narrow margin. Conversely, the map could help the Liberals and the PQ by opening up opportunities in suburban ridings that were previously considered “safe” for the CAQ.

The opposition parties have welcomed the decision, with Liberal leader Jean‑François Savoie calling it a “victory for democracy.” PQ leader Daniel Paillé, meanwhile, urged the public to remain vigilant, citing the potential for a “political shake‑up” that could see new parties gain traction.

Beyond the immediate political impact, the Court’s ruling underscores Quebec’s commitment to constitutional principles, even when they clash with partisan interests. It also raises broader questions about how rapidly demographic shifts can outpace the legislative processes designed to keep electoral representation fair.

Looking Ahead

The CAQ’s appeal is scheduled for the next hearing date, likely in early 2025. In the interim, the provincial government has been tasked with drafting a revised electoral map that complies with the Court’s mandate. The Quebec Electoral Commission has been granted a mandate to facilitate the process, with an emphasis on public consultation.

Should the Court deny the appeal, the new map will take effect in the next provincial election, slated for 2027. In that case, the CAQ will need to re‑evaluate its campaign strategy to account for the new boundaries and demographic realities. The opposition, meanwhile, will look to capitalize on the shift, presenting a united front that promises a more balanced representation of Quebec’s diverse populations.

In sum, the Supreme Court’s decision to mandate an electoral‑map revision marks a pivotal moment in Quebec politics. Whether the CAQ can overturn the ruling remains to be seen, but the underlying principle—ensuring that each Quebec voter’s voice is counted fairly—remains at the heart of the province’s democratic process.