Rumours of a new, right-of-centre political movement washed over Quebec's national assembly Thursday. (Canadian Press)Quebec politics is abuzz with word of a new political party that some say might provide a so-called third way for the province's electorate.

Quebec's legislature was full of rumours Thursday about a new, right-of-centre party that would be pro-business and ambivalent on the national question — despite a number of former sovereigntist politicians reported to be joining the formation.

CBC's French language service first reported the nascent political movement's existence this week. Former Parti Québécois cabinet minister François Legault is leading efforts to create the new party, according to Radio-Canada's Quebec City bureau.

Former PQ cabinet minister François Legault resigned from politics in June 2009, after expressing disappointment over Quebecers' political apathy. (CBC)Legault gathered between 15 and 20 people at his Montreal home in September to discuss the creation of a still-nameless new party, including ex-PQ cabinet minister Joseph Facal, businessman Charles Sirois and former Grand Prix Canada president Normand Legault, Radio-Canada reported.

Philippe Couillard, the popular ex-Liberal health minister, is said to also have been approached by Legault.

The group wants to distance itself from the PQ and the thorny question of Quebec independence from Canada — and believes the Parti Québécois, under current leader Pauline Marois, is too focused on identity and sovereignty.

Legault left the PQ and resigned from the national assembly in June 2009 after he aired frustrations over Quebecers' lack of engagement in politics.

Liberals, PQ warn each other about rumours

Liberal Premier Jean Charest smiled broadly when asked Thursday about the rumours.

"What I see are two ex-PQ ministers, colleagues of Pauline Marois, who have abandoned her and are now looking to do another political party. I think it's pretty clear that they are not with her anymore. There must be a reason they've decided to abandon Pauline Marois," he said.

"They won't be at the next PQ convention … All the better if we have debate of ideas."

The PQ lashed back, reframing the rumours as a menace to the current Liberal government.

"The threat is bigger for Jean Charest and for the Action Démocratique du Quebec [ADQ]," Marois said, explaining how she believes any party that shelves independence talk will eat into the Liberals' federalist votes.

Any Quebec party that ignores the national question will eventually be haunted by sovereignty, the PQ leader added.

The ADQ was once trumpeted as Quebec's third political way, but its fortunes tanked in the 2008 provincial election, leading to founder Mario Dumont leaving political life.

With files from Radio-Canada, The Canadian Press