Pierre Karl Peladeau steps down as PQ leader

CTV Montreal: Analysis: PKP's game-changer Gilles Duceppe on what is next for Quebec politics.

Pierre Karl Peladeau is resigning just one year into his term as leader of the Parti Quebecois, leaving the province's independence movement searching for a new saviour.

Peladeau made the announcement during an emotional news conference in Montreal, where he said in French that he was forced to make a choice between his family and his political project.

"I am making this decision for the well-being of my children,” he added. “I must remain an example to them."

Peladeau said he is also leaving his post as Member of the National Assembly for Saint-Jerome. He said the party will meet quickly to find an interim leader.

“I will remain a Parti Quebecois militant,” he added. “I am convinced that the future of Quebec and Quebecers will be the independence of our nation.”

Peladeau replaced Pauline Marois last May, one year after the party was reduced from leading a minority government to opposition status.

The 2014 election saw the PQ slip to just 30 seats, far behind the Liberals, who took 70, and just ahead of the Coalition Avenir Quebec, which won 22.

Recent separation

Peladeau had a tumultuous year as leader, which included party infighting, questions about his refusal to sell his shares in media giant Quebecor, and a high-profile separation from his wife.

Peladeau married Julie Snyder, his partner of more than 15 years, last August. They separated in January.

Synder told the popular TV show “Tout Le Monde En Parle” on Sunday that politics had strained their relationship and that she was hoping they could serve as examples to their children, ages 10 and eight.

Alain Gagnon, a political science professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, said Peladeau may be looking to focus on his business.

“My reading out of this is that, yes the family matters a lot, but he probably wants to pass on to his family a good business,” he told CTV News Channel.

Peladeau has a controlling share in Quebecor, which owns cable and internet company Videotron, and Quebec’s biggest private broadcaster, TVA.

Quebecor issued a brief statement Monday, “taking note of (Peladeau’s) decision to devote himself to his family and (to) extend our friendship and support under the circumstances.”

Gagnon called the resignation “a big loss” for the sovereignty movement. “He brought credibility to the movement,” he said. “He indicated that independence was possible for a prosperous Quebec.”

What's next for PQ?

Political strategist Alexandre Meterissian said that Peladeau’s departure puts the PQ in a tough spot.

“The provincial Liberals have already started their next campaign for the next election in 2018,” he told CTV’s Power Play.

Meterissian said that the party has a few talented MNAs who could replace Peladeau, but it must decide whether to “go the moderate route or the extreme route.”

The “extreme route,” according to Meterissian would be someone like Bernard Drainville or Martine Ouellet. Drainville devised the controversial Charter of Quebec Values, which many labelled xenophobic. Ouellet, he said, is “a hard-core environmentalist who has very anti-business positions.”

Meterissian said the party could have a better chance if it chooses a more “moderate” MNA, like education critic Alexandre Cloutier.

Either way, he said, the PQ will also need to work hard to attract votes beyond its traditional base of support, which is “old, white and mainly based in rural areas.”

With a report from CTV Montreal Bureau Chief Genevieve Beauchemain