The federal government is preparing to take action to ensure that Quebec does not lose a seat when Canada's electoral map is redrawn.

Jean-Sebastien Comeau, press secretary to Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, says the government rejects any scenario where Quebec loses a seat and is working on a way to ensure that does not happen.

His remarks follow the passing this week of a Commons motion tabled by the Bloc Québécois rejecting a proposal to redistribute parliamentary seats in a way that means Quebec loses an MP.

Canada's chief electoral officer calculated the proposed redistribution of seats last year based on a mathematical model applied to population.

Quebec's 78 MPs would be reduced to 77&nbsp;—&nbsp;the first time since 1966 that a province would lose a seat during redistribution — while the overall number of seats in the House of Commons would increase by four.

Ottawa needs support from majority of provinces to guarantee Quebec's share of Commons seats

Constitutional experts say the federal government has a bit of wiggle room to maintain Quebec's 78 seats in the House of Commons — or even add one or two — but it can't guarantee the province's influence in the chamber won't wane over time without a constitutional amendment approved by at least seven provinces.

Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Pablo Rodriguez rises to ask for an extension of the sitting day in the House of Commons Parliament in the House of Commons Tuesday March 24, 2020 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

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The number of seats in the House of Commons is projected to grow from 338 to 342 due to population growth, primarily outside of Quebec.

The Bloc Québécois says the proposal fails to acknowledge Quebec's official status as a nation and would reduce the power of Quebecers in Parliament.

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet stands in the House of Commons to argue against Quebec losing a member of Parliament in the next redistribution of seats. 

Ottawa to protect number of Quebec Commons seats, stop province from losing MP

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