Pierre Karl Peladeau’s separatist tendencies are undermining Quebec City’s hopes of getting an NHL franchise back in the city, according to Coalition Avenir Quebec Leader Francois Legault.

Peladeau is controlling shareholder of Quebecor, which has been committed to bringing a team to Quebec City at the arena set to open in September. The arena was built with public funds and its management has been entrusted to Quebecor.

NHL owners would not be favourable to having Peladeau as a fellow owner due to his politics, Legault told reporters before entering a caucus meeting Thursday morning. Legault said that it would have been better to wait for a green light from the NHL before building the arena.

The comment comes as parties are campaigning for votes for an upcoming byelection. The Chauveau and Jean Talon ridings, vacated by Gerard Deltell of the CAQ and Yves Bolduc of the Liberals, are now up for grabs.

A Parti Quebecois MNA replied to Legault's comment with a tweet Thursday noting that Quebec City was granted its earlier NHL franchise under a Parti Quebecois government.