In Quebec’s Duplessis riding, situated in the Côte-Nord region, there is a longstanding issue with the electoral map that includes a section of southern Labrador, creating a historical dispute. This boundary discrepancy dates back almost a century to a decision by the Privy Council in London defining the Quebec-Newfoundland and Labrador border, which Quebec has never formally accepted.
The Quebec government acknowledges this disputed area on its maps but denotes it as non-definitive or not final. The inclusion of Labrador in the Duplessis riding is seen as a symbolic political statement rather than a representation of an active voting population.
The border dispute is significant due to the hydroelectric potential along Labrador’s southern border, leading to economic and political implications for both Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. Despite the ongoing tension, the issue remains unresolved, with Quebec using it as a leverage tool in negotiations and nationalist sentiments.
While the border issue resurfaces during election periods, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Premier Tony Wakeham maintains that the matter has been settled legally and is not open for debate. The discourse surrounding the border and its mapping is viewed as aggressive, particularly by those directly impacted by the territorial dispute.
