Dozens protesting electoral redistribution in downtown Montreal

About 100 residents of the downtown Montreal electoral districtSainte-MarieSaint-Jacques gathered Sunday afternoon to collectsignatures and callon the provincial government to scrap a plan to eliminate their electoral district.

The riding is currently represented by Qubec Solidaire MNA Manon Mass.

"It's because the Sainte-MarieSaint-Jacques people have never been consulted on this plan," Mass said. "This is the point today. This is why people are on the street."

Mass says the move could weaken the voice that people in the riding currently have at Quebec's National Assembly.

WestmountSt-Louis the riding currently held by Liberal MNA Jacques Chagnon is also slated for elimination.

A new downtown riding called Ville-Marie will be created in their place.

A petition opposing electoral redistribution has already garnered more than 8,000 signatures.