NDP's Romeo Saganash re-elected in Northern Quebec - Action News
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NDP's Romeo Saganash re-elected in Northern Quebec

NDP incumbent Romeo Saganash has been re-elected in Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou, the country's second largest riding, in Northern Quebec.

Saganash took 37 per cent of the vote

A Cree from Waswanipi, the NDP's Romeo Saganash became the first aboriginal MP ever elected in Quebec in 2011. He's heading back to Ottawa for a second term. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

NDP incumbent Romeo Saganash has been re-elected in Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou, the country's second largest riding, in Northern Quebec.

Saganashtook37per cent of the vote, beatingLiberal candidatePierreDufourby more than 1,700 votes.

Dufourcame in second with 32.3per cent.It wasDufour'sfirst run in federal politics. He's known in the region for his work in economic and tourist development.

LucFerlandof the Bloc Quebecois, a former PQ member at the national assembly, camein third place with 18.6 per cent.

The Conservative Party's Steven Hbert finished fourth with less than 10 per cent of the vote. First-time Green candidate Patrick Benoit, a miner who kept a very low profile on the campaign trail, came in fifth.

Saganash was a star New Democratic candidate in 2011 when he succeeded Yvon Lvesque of the Bloc Qubcois as MP.

A Cree from Waswanipi, Saganash became the first aboriginal MP ever elected in Quebec. He served as deputy aboriginal affairs critic for the NDP, and helped draft the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Saganash was removed from his home at the age of six to attend a residential school in Quebec, an experience he's spoken about frequently during his time at the House of Commons.

In this campaign Saganash distanced himself from the NDP's position on women wearing the niqab for citizenship ceremonies. Saganashdescribedthe garment as the "oppressor's clothing."

At the same debate, his Liberal opponent Pierre Dufour, also expressed his opposition to the niqab.