QUEBEC -- Quebec's chief electoral officer is apologizing after a spokesman said the referendum process would be triggered immediately if the Parti Quebecois formed a majority government.

Jacques Drouin said in a statement today that such a scenario is not being considered.

Drouin said the Quebec law dealing with plebiscites would have to be updated before the launch of any referendum process.

He was responding to comments that spokesman Denis Dion made in an interview with Quebec Le Soleil.

Dion told the newspaper it was clear that a PQ majority victory on April 7 would get the referendum machine rolling.

PQ Leader Pauline Marois has repeatedly stated there will be no referendum until Quebecers are ready for one.