Laurier—Sainte-Marie

Whispers of political giants echo through Laurier—Sainte-Marie. This vibrant riding in downtown Montreal, nestled between Le Plateau-Mont-Royal and Ville-Marie, pulses with a history as rich as the St. Lawrence River it borders. Laurier—Sainte-Marie isn’t just a name on a map. It’s a stage where political dramas have unfolded, starring characters like Gilles Duceppe, the Bloc Québécois stalwart who held this seat for two decades. He first arrived as an Independent in 1990, then rode the wave of Quebec nationalism to victory in 1993, only to be unseated by the NDP’s Hélène Laverdière in 2011. Laurier—Sainte-Marie witnessed the rise of Steven Guilbeault, a champion in the fight against climate change, who transitioned from environmental activism to become the Minister of Canadian Heritage. His victory in 2019 marked another shift in the riding’s political landscape. This is a district of contrasts, where over 20 percent of the population work in sales and service, catering to both locals and the steady stream of tourists drawn to the area’s charm. Laurier—Sainte-Marie is more than just its political battles. It’s a community carved from the historic Faubourg à m’lasse, a working-class neighborhood that once thrived here. The whispers of its past mingle with the modern pulse of the city, creating a unique symphony that defines Laurier—Sainte-Marie.