Most people here assume Kawawachikamach votes in Ungava. We do not. Ungava’s official boundary description leaves our community out by name. We vote in Duplessis, the riding that runs from Schefferville and Matimekush-Lac John down the whole North Shore to Sept-Îles, out along the coast to Blanc-Sablon, and includes Anticosti Island.

So when you go to vote, these are the six names on your ballot.

Your candidates in Duplessis

Graphic titled "Vote for the Duplessis Member of the National Assembly." A note explains that whichever party wins the most ridings across Quebec forms the government and that party's leader becomes premier. Six candidates are listed with photographs, party logos and a short background line: Kateri Champagne Jourdain for the Coalition Avenir Québec, Meggie Richard for the Parti Québécois, Jani Bellefleur-Kaltush for Québec solidaire, Samuel Murray for the Quebec Liberal Party, Roberto Stea for the Conservative Party of Quebec, and Alexandre Deschênes for the Marxist-Leninist Party of Quebec. The footer reads "Compiled by the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach. Research each candidate on your own."

Kateri Champagne Jourdain, Coalition Avenir Québec. Innu from Uashat mak Mani-utenam. Our MNA since 2022.

Meggie Richard, Parti Québécois. Prefect of the MRC de Minganie, from Havre-Saint-Pierre.

Jani Bellefleur-Kaltush, Québec solidaire. Innu filmmaker from Nutashkuan.

Samuel Murray, Quebec Liberal Party. Former political staffer in Quebec City and Ottawa.

Roberto Stea, Conservative Party of Quebec. Hydro-Québec advisor.

Alexandre Deschênes, Marxist-Leninist Party of Quebec. Homelessness outreach worker from Sept-Îles.

Two Innu candidates are on this ballot. That does not decide anyone’s vote for them, but it is worth knowing.

What you are actually voting for

You vote for one person to be your Member of the National Assembly. Whichever party wins the most ridings across Quebec forms the government, and that party’s leader becomes premier.

Where the parties stand with First Nations

We put together a second sheet with two facts about each party, drawn from their records and their published platforms, with a search term so you can check any of it yourself.

Graphic titled "The Parties and First Nations," subtitled "Look up the facts, decide on your own." Each of the six party logos appears beside two short factual notes about that party's record or positions on First Nations issues, followed by a suggested search term. The footer reads "Compiled by the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach. Research each party on your own."

It is a starting point, not the whole story. We are not telling anyone how to vote. Look things up, ask the candidates directly if you get the chance, and decide on your own.

When and how to vote

Saturday, September 26. An Élections Québec team is at the Naskapi Community Center, 1012 rue Naskapi, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. You can register on the list of electors, update your information, and cast your vote, all in one stop.

Sunday, September 27 and Monday, September 28. Advance polling, 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Monday, October 5. Election day.

What to bring

JUT ONE of these pieces of identification. Expired is fine:

  • Québec health insurance card
  • Québec driver’s licence
  • Indian status card
  • Canadian passport
  • Canadian Forces identification card

If you do not have any of them, bring someone who knows you and who has one of those documents in their own name, and they can confirm your identity. That person can identify one other elector besides themselves. You can also bring two documents carrying your name, one of which shows your photo.

Questions

The returning officer for Duplessis is Renaud Dignard. The office is at 649 boulevard Laure in Sept-Îles, toll free at 1-833-216-5913. You can also call Élections Québec at 1-888-ELECTION.

If an elder or a family member needs a ride to vote, go with them.