Longueuil–Saint-Hubert

In the riding of Longueuil–Saint-Hubert, a tight race is expected between former provincial health minister Réjean Hébert, now a Liberal candidate, and actor Denis Trudel of the Bloc Québécois. The other two rivals are incumbent Pierre Nantel, a Green Party recruit, and Éric Ferland, the NDP candidate.

The party swapping that occurred within a short period drew considerable attention to the riding. Former Parti Québécois minister Réjean Hébert joined the Liberals, while ex-NDP MP Pierre Nantel defected to the Green Party and former Quebec Green Party leader Éric Ferland became the NDP candidate. All three who made the leap to the federal political scene are sovereignists.

Infrastructure and public transportation development are some of the more important issues here. Longueuil Mayor Sylvie Parent wants the government to confirm its share of funding for the subway’s yellow line extension. Since 1967, only one station has served Montreal’s South Shore, though the population continues to grow and, morning and evening, traffic congestion on Jacques-Cartier Bridge keeps getting worse.