Leader may be forced to step down if more resignations follow
A fourth Parti Québécois member resigned on Tuesday in reaction to Leader Pauline Marois’ continued failure to achieve sovereignty, and her unpopular decision to support a private-member’s bill favouring a $400-million sports arena proposal. Jean-Marc Aussant—the latest MNA to step down—says Marois is not capable, nor interested, in achieving sovereignty. The beleaguered leader held a meeting on Tuesday with the 48 members remaining in her caucus, to alleviate further dissent. Two PQ MNAs—Claude Cousineau and Sylvain Pagé—demanded Marois reopen the sports arena bill to a free vote. If more members resign, she may have to forfeit her leadership. Some say former Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe would take her place.