By-elections in general don't mean much, but this one will be interesting on its own simply because it is, by far, the most competitive riding to have opened up thus far in this parliament.  LeBel's winning margin over the NDP candidate last time was only 5%, and he got 33% of the vote total.  With all the fluctuations in Quebec, this could go any number of ways.  I'm sure the Liberals will be looking to test out how much their improved polling in Quebec can be made to translate into more seats; the NDP will want to make a show of strength; and the Bloc, of course, just wants to prove it's still relevant.