Fielding fresh candidates, Liberals poised to hang on to western Montreal seats

For the first time in decades, the majority of ridings in the western part of Montreal have new candidates running, with many longtime MNAs choosing not to seek re-election.

Six of nine Liberals who have consistently won in their ridings have decided to leave politics.

All six of them have been Liberal strongholds since the ridings were created, many even before changes to the electoral map.

But even though FranoisLegault'sCoalitionAvenirQubec started this campaign witha lead in the polls, stealing those seats from the Liberals won't be easy.

• Where the parties stand on the issues that matter most to you
• Sign up for our election newsletter for addedinsight and analysishere.

"What we're seeing is probably an erosion of Liberal support in those ridings but not yet the indication that they stand to lose, or could potentially lose those seats," saysChristian Bourque, executive vice-president at Lger.

He says the erosion is in part due to fatigue with the Liberals, who have been in power for most of the past 15 years, which means there is an opportunity for the CAQto court younger voters and allophones.

Not much choice for Anglos

In Jacques-Cartier, theLiberals are hoping to keep it in the family.GeoffKelley has held the seat forfor 24 years.Now his son, Greg Kelley is hoping to take up the reins.

TheCAQis hoping to foil those plans itscandidate in the riding, KarenHilchey,was once a senior cabinet staffer forGeoffKelley.

Bourque says while someAnglo-Quebecersare less-than-happy with the Liberals, most won't make the leap to the CAQ.

"If Legault wins, what happens to the Liberals? We still need a fairly strong Liberal party to represent us [anglophones]in the National Assembly," Bourque says, putting himself in their shoes.

• CAQ hopes to make inroads in West Island ahead of fall election
• What's in a slogan? Quebec's 4 main parties try to entice voters with one word or more

Philippe Couillardhas often reached out to the anglophone community, and has promised, if elected, his party would not abolish school board elections.

"English-speaking Quebecers are part of our history and what we are," he said at the announcement that anglophone Jennifer Maccarone would run as the Liberal candidate in WestmountSaint-Louis.

"Their rights are fundamental, as was their contribution to the history of Quebec."

While Legaulthas said the issue of sovereignty is off the table, his past as aParti Qubcoishealth minister causes some worry.

He's also noted his government would abolish school board elections.

• As theCAQ and Liberals keep swapping candidates, the differences between them are not always clear

Still, ata pre-campaign stop in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Legaulttried to convince voters there is an alternative to the Liberals the CAQ.

Western Montreal ridings without incumbents

• Jacques-Cartier.
• Nelligan.
• Marquette.
• Marguerite-Bourgeoys.
• Saint-Laurent.
• WestmountSaint-Louis.

Sign up for our election newsletter for addedinsight and analysishere.