QUEBEC - Mario Dumont admits he is stepping down as leader of the Action democratique du Quebec with a certain sense of failure for never having led the party to power.
Dumont announced Tuesday he is resigning as leader on March 6 after more than 14 years at the helm of the party.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Dumont said he is proud to have influenced and changed the public debate in the province over the years.
"I think I've installed a new political voice in the landscape, despite what they are saying today," Dumont said.
He is taking a job in the private sector in Montreal and said his new employer will make an announcement this week.
Dumont had said he would eventually step down after the ADQ suffered a crushing defeat in the provincial election last December.
The ADQ won just seven seats after Dumont guided the right-wing party from relative obscurity to official Opposition status in 2007.
In a letter to the party president, Dumont also said he will resign his provincial seat in Riviere-du-Loup at the same time.
Dumont, 38, has led the ADQ and held the seat since 1994.
"I want to express to you my admiration for all ADQ members and the high esteem in which I hold them..... for their strength of conviction and their love of Quebec," he said in the letter.
"I wish you the best of luck in the future."
Dumont's decision means he won't be in the legislature when it reconvenes March 10 but he said tributes and ceremonies are not his style.
Dumont said he's happy to be turning the page and that his political career is over -- for now.
But he could not rule out a return down the road.
The ADQ will now decide when to hold a leadership race to replace Dumont.
