By Canadian Press

PQ member Martine Ouellet considering run at Bloc Quebecois leadership

Dec 8, 2016 | 3:14 PM

QUEBEC — One of the most hardline sovereigntists in Quebec’s legislature said Thursday she’s considering a run at the Bloc Quebecois leadership.

Parti Quebecois member Martine Ouellet said she has been approached by people in the federal party who asked her to think about seeking the job.

She is a twice-failed PQ leadership candidate and was the only one in this fall’s campaign who promised to hold a sovereignty referendum in a first mandate if elected premier.

Ouellet, 47, told reporters the Bloc is more pertinent than ever and that it needs to work closely with the PQ.

“The Bloc Quebecois is an important force in Ottawa,” she said. “There is an expertise at the federal level that we need to preserve and develop in order to realize Quebec’s independence.”

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 1

1h ago

Missing pet

'She means the world to our family': Woman seeks help in finding missing pet parrot

3h ago

BE CAREFUL ON THE ROADS

Semi flips outside P.A.; one of dozens of incidents on Sask. roads due to winter weather

3h ago

She said the Bloc needs to be “strengthened” and added she will take the holidays to consider her decision.

PQ Leader Jean-Francois Lisee said Ouellet would be a solid candidate.

“I don’t comment on leadership candidacies,” he told reporters. “But certainly, among the good candidacies, there is Martine’s.”

Ouellet finished third behind Alexandre Cloutier and Lisee in the recent PQ leadership campaign.

Her public musings came a day after the interim Bloc leader said he isn’t interested in the job on a permanent basis.

Rheal Fortin, who has headed the party since last year’s federal election, said his decision to not run is in the best interests of the party, of Quebec and of the sovereigntist movement.

On Wednesday, five people, including Bloc members and former candidates, published a statement soliciting Ouellet’s candidacy.

The Bloc needs a “person with experience, conviction, someone who can unite, someone with clear leadership, a progressive thinker,” they said.

Nobody has yet entered the race, which officially begins next February, but Fortin believes there will be no shortage of candidates.

The Bloc currently has 10 of the 78 MPs from Quebec.

The Canadian Press