NDP sweeps through Western Quebec

The New Democratic Party's strong showing in Quebec stretched west into the Outaouais region, with the party gaining three seats in emphatic fashion.

InGatineau, former Liberal Francoise Boivin took the riding for the NDP from incumbent Bloc Qubcois representative Richard Nadeau. Boivin tookmore than61 per cent of the vote in an easy victory over Nadeau and Liberal Steve MacKinnon,both of whom took less than 20 per cent of the vote with 240 of 263 polls counted.

InHull-Aylmer, Nycole Turmel's victory over Liberal incumbent Marcel Proulx was no less convincing. Turmel also tookmore than60 per cent of the popular vote.

And inPontiac, New Democrat Mathieau Ravignat scored a surprising upset over incumbent Conservative Lawrence Cannon.

A relative unknown, Ravignat rode the orange wave that swept over Quebec to winmore than47 per cent of the popular vote, well ahead of Cannon, who served in the last Conservative government as Minister of Foreign Affairs.