Montreal's political landscape not altered dramatically

Monday's provincial election did not dramatically reconfigure Montreal's electoral map, with only twoseats on the Island of Montreal switching hands.

The Liberals kept traditional bastions such as Outremont, Verdun, Notre-Dame-de-Grce and Saint-Laurent, while Qubec Solidaire's Amir Khadirand Franoise Davidhung on to theirseats in Mercier and Gouin, and the Parti Qubcoiskept its seats in Rosemont, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and Pointes-aux-Trembles.

Qubec Solidairehopedto expand Montreal base

Qubec Solidairewaslooking to build on the two Montreal (and only)ridings that it represents in the National Assembly (Mercier Khadir, and Gouin David) and hoped to add twomore Montreal seats in the ridings ofLaurier-Dorion and Saint-Marie-Saint-Jacques.

QubecSolidairewassuccessful in Saint-Marie-Saint-Jacques, where ManonMassdefeatedLiberal candidate AnnaKlisko in a close race that saw fewer than 100 votes separating the two.PQincumbent Daniel Breton finishedthird.

Qubec Solidaire candidate and party co-spokespersonAndrs Fontecillalost to Liberal candidate Gerry Sklavounosin Laurier-Dorion.

• Riding profile:Laurier-Dorion
• Riding profile:Saint-Marie-Saint-Jacques
• Riding profile:Hochelaga-Maisoneuve

Liberals takeCrmazie, keep Verdun

The ridings of Crmazie and Verdun also promised tough fights between the Liberals and their PQarch-rivals. The Liberals managed to retakeCrmazie from Diane de Courcy, the PQ's minister for immigration and Quebec'sFrench language charter. The riding went to Liberal candidate Marie Montpetit.

Meanwhile, the PQ's hopes of an upset win over the Liberals in Verdun came up short understar freshman candidate, the actor and broadcast personalityLorraine Pintal. Pintal is trailing Liberal candidateJacques Daoust.

• Riding profile:Crmazie
• Riding profile:Verdun

Lise in Rosemont

Another Montreal riding to watch was Rosemont, held by PQ cabinet ministerJean-Franois Lise. Lise won Rosemont in 2012 with a whopping 43 per cent of the vote andhas beenone of the more vocalchampions of thePQ'scontroversial secular charter. Lise's opponentswere hoping to turn dissatisfaction with the proposed charter into votes.

Lisekept his seat with 34 per cent of the popular vote.

• Riding profile:Rosemont

Hlne Davidwins in Outremont

HlneDavid, sister of Qubec Solidaire's David, won in the riding of Outremont.

David, who made her name as anauthor and academicat the Universit de Montral before entering politics, replacedLiberal Leader Philippe Couillardas the Liberal candidate inOutremont after Couillardopted to runin his home riding of Roberval.