Laurier-Sainte-Marie

Geography and Composition

The riding encompasses a compact 14 square kilometre area in the heart of Montreal. Its boundaries include neighbourhoods within the boroughs of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal and Ville-Marie. Specifically, it covers Côte Saint-Louis and the eastern sections of the Plateau and Mile End. It also includes the eastern part of downtown Montreal and the western portion of Centre-Sud, which incorporates part of the historic Sainte-Marie neighbourhood. Following the 2022 electoral redistribution, the riding lost territory south of Avenue Christophe-Colombe and west of Rue Rachel to the Outremont riding. It gained territory north of Boulevard Robert-Bourassa and east of Avenue Viger, which includes Saint Helen's Island and Notre Dame Island, from the Ville-Marie, Le Sud-Ouest, Île-des-Soeurs riding. The riding also lost territory to Outremont and gained from Hochelaga and Westmount, Ville-Marie in the earlier 2012 redistribution, demonstrating its evolving urban footprint.

Demographic Profile

According to the 2021 Canadian census, Laurier, Sainte-Marie is a highly urban and linguistically diverse constituency. The population is relatively young, with an average age of 40 years. The racial makeup is predominantly White at 73.4 percent, with significant Black (5.1%), Arab (4.4%), Latin American (4.3%), and Chinese (3.7%) communities. Other notable groups include South Asian (3.1%), Southeast Asian (1.7%), and Indigenous (1.2%) residents. French is the first language for 67.2 percent of residents, while English is spoken by 15.7 percent. Other common languages include Spanish (4.3%), Arabic (2.8%), Mandarin (1.6%), Portuguese (1.2%), and Cantonese (1.1%). In terms of religion, a majority of residents (52.7%) report no religious affiliation. Christianity is the largest declared faith at 36.4 percent, with Catholicism being the dominant denomination at 29.1 percent, followed by other Christian denominations at 6.1 percent and Christian Orthodox at 1.2 percent. Islam is practised by 6.8 percent of the population, with smaller Buddhist (1.2%) and Jewish (1.1%) communities. The economic profile shows a median income of $39,600 and an average income of $55,000 as of 2020.

Political History and Representation

The riding was created in 1987 from parts of the former Laurier, Montreal, Sainte-Marie, and Saint-Jacques ridings. It was briefly abolished in 2003 and redistributed into Laurier and Hochelaga, but the Laurier riding was renamed Laurier, Sainte-Marie again in 2004 following that year's election. The district's name derives from Laurier Avenue, a major street in the Plateau Mont-Royal named for Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and from the Sainte-Marie neighbourhood, named for a parish church dedicated to Saint Mary. That election saw a major shift when Hélène Laverdière of the New Democratic Party won the seat. The riding has been a focal point of Quebec federal politics, reflecting the province's complex political allegiances.

Recent Electoral Dynamics and the 2026 By-election

The political landscape in Laurier, Sainte-Marie has been competitive and volatile in recent years. The last time a Liberal candidate was elected was in the riding's inaugural 1988 election. For the 2026 election cycle, the seat is currently vacant, triggering a required by-election. According to Elections Canada rules, the earliest date this by-election can be held is Monday, October 19, 2026. Local riding associations for the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party are active, with the NDP hosting a joint nomination meeting for Laurier, Sainte-Marie and the neighbouring Rosemont, La Petite-Patrie riding. Midterm forecasts and projections for the upcoming election show a highly competitive race. One projection from Election Projection | RidingWatch gives the Liberal candidate a lead of 55 percent in projected vote share for the 2026 contest. The vacancy and impending vote have placed the riding on lists of key constituencies to watch across the country.

Riding Associations and Local Political Organization

Riding associations, or Electoral District Associations (EDAs), serve as the local branches of federal political parties and are crucial for grassroots organizing. The Laurier, Sainte-Marie Federal Liberal Association represents the Liberal team in the constituency. The New Democratic Party also maintains an active association, as evidenced by its nomination meetings which are restricted to party members. These organizations are responsible for candidate recruitment, local campaigning, fundraising, and mobilizing party members. The vacancy of the seat has heightened local political activity, with parties preparing for the impending by-election. The contact information for the constituency office remains active, with a listed telephone number (514-522-1339) and fax (514-522-9899), despite the absence of a sitting Member of Parliament. This structure ensures constituent services and political outreach continue during the interim period.

Electoral Performance and Voter Engagement

Voter turnout in the riding for the 2026 election was recorded at 64 percent, which is a significant measure of civic engagement in the urban centre. The riding has experienced notable shifts in party support over its history, reflecting broader political trends in Quebec and Montreal. The defeat of Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe in 2011 was a landmark event, symbolizing the surge of the NDP in the province during that election known as the Orange Wave. The demographic diversity and high population density of the area contribute to a complex electorate where issues of language, urban development, housing, and social policy are often at the forefront of political debate. Historical results show the riding has been a bellwether for changing political fortunes within Montreal's inner-city districts.

Historical and Administrative Evolution

The administrative history of the riding is marked by several boundary changes and a brief period of abolition. After its creation in 1987, it existed continuously until 2003 when it was abolished by redistribution. Its territory was split between the new Laurier riding and the Hochelaga riding. However, this change was short-lived. Following the 2004 federal election, the Laurier riding was officially renamed 'Laurier, Sainte-Marie', effectively reviving the original name and much of its political identity. The Library of Parliament maintains separate riding history profiles for these distinct periods: Laurier, Sainte-Marie (1987 to 2003), Laurier (2003 to 2004), and Laurier, Sainte-Marie (2004-present). These changes underscore how electoral district boundaries are periodically adjusted to reflect population shifts as recorded by the national census, ensuring representation by population remains fair.

Questions about Laurier-Sainte-Marie

Where is the Laurier, Sainte-Marie riding located?

Laurier, Sainte-Marie is located in downtown Montreal, Quebec. It includes areas within the boroughs of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal and Ville-Marie, specifically covering parts of the Plateau, Mile End, Côte Saint-Louis, downtown Montreal, and Centre-Sud, including the historic Sainte-Marie neighbourhood. The riding also encompasses Saint Helen's Island and Notre Dame Island following the 2022 boundary changes. Its total area is 14 square kilometres.

Who is the current Member of Parliament for Laurier, Sainte-Marie?

As of 2026, the seat for Laurier, Sainte-Marie is vacant. There is currently no sitting Member of Parliament for this constituency. A by-election is required to fill the vacancy, with the earliest possible date set for October 19, 2026, as determined by Elections Canada. The constituency office remains operational and can be contacted by telephone at 514-522-1339 and by fax at 514-522-9899.

What is the demographic makeup of the riding?

The riding is linguistically and culturally diverse. As of the 2021 census, 67.2 percent of residents speak French as a first language and 15.7 percent speak English. The population is 73.4 percent White, with significant Black (5.1%), Arab (4.4%), Latin American (4.3%), and Chinese (3.7%) communities. A majority (52.7%) report no religious affiliation, while Christianity is the largest declared faith at 36.4 percent. The average age is 40, the median income is $39,600, and the average income is $55,000.

How did the 2022 redistribution change the riding's boundaries?

The 2022 federal electoral redistribution altered the boundaries of Laurier, Sainte-Marie. The riding lost territory south of Avenue Christophe-Colombe and west of Rue Rachel, which was transferred to the Outremont riding. It gained new territory north of Boulevard Robert-Bourassa and east of Avenue Viger from the Ville-Marie, Le Sud-Ouest, Île-des-Soeurs riding. This gained territory includes Saint Helen's Island and Notre Dame Island in the St. Lawrence River. Earlier changes in 2012 also saw the riding lose territory to Outremont and Ville-Marie, Le Sud-Ouest, Île-des-Sœurs while gaining from Hochelaga and Westmount, Ville-Marie.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.