André Boisclair is staying on as leader of the Parti Québécois and vowed to help rebuild the fractured party after it suffered major losses in Monday's provincial election.
"I think the population has sent us an important message," Boisclair said in a press conference at the national assembly in Quebec City on Tuesday afternoon. "The ADQ [wins] signifies the population wants a change. We at the PQ have to pay attention."
PQ Leader André Boisclair is staying on as party leader and said Tuesday it was much too early to write off Quebec independence.
(Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)
Few could have predicted the PQ's fall from grace Monday night — the sovereigntist party bled 10 seats to Mario Dumont's right-wing Action démocratique du Québec, and finished third, with 36 seats and 28 per cent of the popular vote, the party's worst election result since 1973.
Boisclair conceded his party overestimated Quebecers' appetite for the PQ's platform and its plan for independence.
"Sovereignty is something to wish for, but in the short term, it's not realizable," he said.
But Boisclair dismissed rumours he would resign, and said he still has a lot of work to do within the PQ.
"I think I have both feet firmly in the party, and I'll do everything to make sure the party doesn't fall into disfavour," he said.
"I think my presence is helping [the party] and I feel connected to members."
Boisclair wouldn't venture an opinion on what kind of influence the PQ's performance Monday night could have on the Bloc Québécois' chances in a future federal election.
"It's much too early to jump to conclusions."
| Party | Elected | Leading | Total | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIB | 48 | 0 | 48 | 33.08% |
| ADQ | 41 | 0 | 41 | 30.80% |
| PQ | 36 | 0 | 36 | 28.32% |
| QS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.65% |
| GRN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.89% |
| OTH | 0 | 0 | 0 | .26% |
| Last Update:March 27, 12:52:21 AM EDT | ||||
Quebec Votes 2007 Headlines »
- Que. Liberals take minority win with grain of salt
- Quebec Premier Jean Charest said he'll build bridges with the Parti Québécois and the Action Démocratique du Québec to ensure a stable minority government.
- Dumont will work with Quebec Premier Charest
- Quebec's new Opposition Leader Mario Dumont said he wants stability at the national assembly and pledged to work with the Liberal minority government on a case-by-case basis.
- Boisclair remains at helm after PQ finishes 3rd
- André Boisclair is staying on as leader of the Parti Québécois and vowed to help rebuild the fractured party after it suffered major losses in Monday's provincial election.
- Quebec election result 'good news' for Canada: PM
- Stephen Harper says voters in the Quebec election have used their ballots to reject calls for another referendum in a "great result" for Canada.
- Charest keeps seat as Liberals cling to power in Quebec
- Quebecers are waking up to a minority Liberal government — the first minority in the province in 130 years — and a new official Opposition.