PQ leader welcomes image critique, says she wants to improve

Last Updated: Friday, November 7, 2008 | 5:20 PM ET

CBC News

Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois speaks to reporters at the party's headquarters in Montreal on Friday. Quebecers will vote Dec. 8, 2008 in a provincial election. The Canadian Press/Ryan RemiorzA leaked PQ document that suggests leader Pauline Marois has an image problem with voters is nothing more than constructive criticism, said the head of Quebec's sovereigntist party.

Marois is seen as "snobbish" and "unable to relate to people" according to excerpts of the document published Friday in Montreal newspaper La Presse.

The Parti Québécois leader said she doesn't feel betrayed by the leak because "the documents were prepared as all [election] documents are," she said Friday in response to the report. "I think not producing these kinds of documents would be irresponsible."

Marois said she looks forward to changing people's perception of her without changing her personality.

"The advice is to stay yourself, but be [closer] to the people, be present, 'let's go and talk to the people', because when people talk to you, they [get to] know you, and they know you are not a snobby person," she said.

The leak does not signal a lack of discipline within PQ ranks, Marois asserted. "I think that in all political parties, there are people who don't have the same interests as [those in charge]," she contended.

The Parti Québécois is united on important issues such as policy, and that's what counts, she said.

Reading the La Presse report was a bit hard on the ego, Marois added, but she's confident she can overcome the criticism.

Marois was campaigning in Montreal Friday, where she met with editorial boards at francophone newspapers, and planned to assist the evening launch of PQ star candidate Louise Beaudoin's campaign in Rosemont.