QUEBEC - Parti Quebecois Leader Pierre Karl Peladeau is being accused of hurting Quebec City's chances of attracting a National Hockey League team because of his sovereigntist fervour.

Francois Legault, leader of the Coalition for Quebec's Future, says NHL owners don't like the idea of a sovereigntist such as Peladeau getting a team.

Peladeau is the controlling shareholder of Quebecor (TSX:QBR.B), which has for years been trying to bring back the NHL to the provincial capital.

Legault said he's hearing from people connected to the league that it will remain difficult for Quebec City to get a team as long as Peladeau is in politics.

The Coalition leader said recently that Peladeau's unabashed call for Quebec to separate from Canada was already hurting private investment in the province.