White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimm.) were introduced to Anticosti Island (Québec, Canada) more than 100 years ago, where they are now considered overabundant and have greatly modified the flora. While forest communities have been the most heavily affected, deer also use and disturb other ecosystems, such as peatlands. This study sought to determine the potential plant diversity of peatlands on the island in the absence of deer. To achieve this, 53 exclosures were established in 2007 and the vegetation monitored over an 8 year period. At the start of the study, 125 plant species were recorded, and after 8 years of deer exclusion this had risen by 21% to 151 species. Over the same period, the number of indicator species (i.e., species associated with a specific habitat) grew from 33 to 48, with the increase being particularly marked in the laggs (ecotones between forest and peatland). After 8 years of exclusion, the vegetation cover of species preferentially grazed by deer had also risen greatly, with bog birch (Betula pumila L.) increasing twofold and Canadian burnet (Sanguisorba canadensis L.), eightfold. In conclusion, peatlands on Anticosti Island have a potential for greater plant richness, which can be expressed after white-tailed deer exclusion.