Longtime Parti Quebecois MNA Stephane Bedard has announced he is quitting politics.

Bedard rose in the National assembly at 10 a.m. Thursday to express his thanks to his constituents and his colleagues, and his family, but that he had to leave politics.

"I am at a point in my life where I will be doing something irreparable if I do not leave to spend time with my family," said Bedard. 

Bedard was interim leader for the Parti Quebecois following Pauline Marois' electoral defeat last year.

Last month new PQ leader Pierre Karl Peladeau removed Bedard as house leader and named him the critic for Justice. Peladeau's leadership rival, Bernard Drainville, was given the post of house leader.

On Thursday Peladeau said he will miss Bedard's presence. 

"He is a man of respect, a man who has lent me confidence, and I will always be grateful for that," said the PQ leader.

Coalition Avenir Quebec leader Francois Legault, who on Wednesday said the federal election showed the collapse in support for the sovereignist movement, said Bedard would never leave politics over not getting a job within the PQ.

Legault said Bedard must agree with his assessment that Quebec will not separate.

"I don't think that he's the kind of guy who would resign only because he didn't get a position. I think it's more important that that," said Legault.

CAQ member Francois Bonnardel also spoke about Bedard's resignation, saying it showed that PQ leader Peladeau was unsuccessful at uniting his caucus. 

PQ MNA Martine Ouellet said she had great respect for Bedard. 

"He's more than a colleague, he's a friend. He had great experience [in his job]," she said.

Pierre Moreau of the Liberal Party was one of many who expressed their respect and admiration for Bedard. 

"I think we have to recognize that he was a terrific opponent," said Moreau. "He's been leader of his parliamentary group for many, many years, and today I want to salute what he did for Quebec, and for political life, and for his constituents." 

Bedard was first elected as the MNA for Chicoutimi in 1998 and has represented the riding ever since.

Bedard will be the ninth member of the National Assembly to step down since the 2014 election. He's expected to collect a departure allowance of an estimated $150,000.