Pierre Curzi not returning to Parti Quebecois

Pierre Curzi talked to Mutsumi Takahashi about why he left the PQ. (June 7, 2011)

Outspoken defender of the French language Pierre Curzi will not be rejoining the Parti Quebecois fold.

Curzi was one of five MNAs who left the party last year after becoming increasingly outraged by the PQ's moves to put the separation of Quebec on the backburner, and by the party's support for the Quebec City arena project.

He now says that, like Lisette Lapointe who also left the PQ, he will not be rejoining the party. He will also not run for re-election.

In a missive posted on his website Curzi wrote that he has been in talks with PQ leader Pauline Marois since December, where he said he would return if he could resume his role as language critic, and could champion a new French language charter.

Curzi writes that Marois was not willing to agree to those conditions.

However, Curzi will go forward with his proposal, and expects to present his revamped Charter in the National Assembly as an independent MNA.

After he retires from politics, he says he will continue to strive for an independent Quebec.