Montreal — The Bloc Québécois has chosen Zumretay Arkin, a former vice‑president of the World Uyghur Congress, to run in the federal byelection for the Montreal riding of Laurier—Sainte‑Marie, party leader Yves‑François Blanchet announced Sunday at a press briefing at Place Vauquelin.
Candidate brings international profile and local ties
Arkin, who arrived in Quebec at the age of 10, has spent years advocating for the rights of the Uyghur people on international platforms, including at the United Nations. In the announcement, she stressed the link she draws between her human‑rights work and the defence of Quebec’s cultural and linguistic distinctiveness.
“This struggle has taught me just how precious it is for a people to be able to decide their own future. Quebec has a rich cultural and linguistic heritage that must absolutely be defended,”
She also said she grew up in Montreal and has spent substantial time in the Laurier—Sainte‑Marie riding, underlining an emotional and personal connection to the neighbourhood she hopes to represent.
Strategic importance for the Bloc
The party is explicit about the symbolism of this riding. Laurier—Sainte‑Marie is not an ordinary target for the Bloc: it was held by former federal Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe from 1990 until 2011, before subsequently shifting to the New Democratic Party and later the Liberals. The seat was left vacant when former Liberal MP and cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault departed; Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer, Stéphane Perrault, received official notice of the vacancy on Aug. 31, though Elections Canada has not yet issued the writ for a special election.
Yves‑François Blanchet framed Arkin’s nomination as a matter of values for residents of the riding, signalling the Bloc’s intention to make a vigorous play for a constituency with deep sovereigntist history but recent Liberal and NDP success.
Opposition and past results
The New Democratic Party will again be represented by epidemiologist Nimâ Machouf, who secured the NDP nomination in July and is running in Laurier—Sainte‑Marie for a fourth time. Machouf was the NDP candidate in 2019, 2021 and 2025, finishing behind Guilbeault on each occasion.
Results from the last federal election in 2025 underline the competitive landscape the Bloc faces if the byelection proceeds:
| Candidate / Party | Vote share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Steven Guilbeault (Liberal) | 52.1% |
| Nimâ Machouf (NDP) | 18.8% |
| Emmanuel Lapierre (Bloc Québécois) | 15.4% |
| Mathieu Fournier (Conservative) | 9.2% |
What Arkin’s candidacy means locally
Arkin’s nomination brings a distinct profile to the Bloc’s slate: an immigrant who became active on the international human‑rights stage and who speaks to minority rights and self‑determination. That background may resonate in a riding known for its diverse, urban electorate and strong civic activism.
At the same time, the 2025 results show the Bloc starting from third place in the last general election. Winning Laurier—Sainte‑Marie would require convincing voters who previously gave a majority to a Liberal minister to swing toward the Bloc’s platform, or alternatively drawing enough support away from the NDP and other parties to consolidate a Bloc plurality.
Practical details and timeline
- Official notice of the vacancy was received by the Chief Electoral Officer on Aug. 31.
- The byelection has not yet been called by the federal government.
- The race will pit Arkin against established contenders such as NDP candidate Nimâ Machouf and likely candidates from other federal parties.
For the Bloc, the selection of Arkin reflects both a strategic calculation and an appeal to local identity. How that combination plays in the streets and polling stations of Laurier—Sainte‑Marie will only be answered once a writ is dropped and candidates take their campaigns to voters.
— Reporting from Montreal
