Former transportation minister Pierre Moreau is the second contender to become leader of the provincial Liberal party.

The MNA for Chateauguay made the announcement Monday morning in his riding, surrounded by current MNAs and former cabinet ministers, including Julie Boulet and Pierre Arcand.

"There is no other place that I would have chosen to hold this press conference today other than the riding where my supporters reside," said Moreau.

“It's time to renew the ideas that are the base of our involvement in politics and that's the reason why I think we have to open windows and door and let the fresh air come in.”

Newly elected MNA for Marguerite-Bourgeois and former Surete du Quebec officer Robert Poeti was also on hand, and said he was impressed with Moreau’s work as transport minister in the former cabinet.

“With hard situations, he was working very hard understanding the problems, taking action, and trying to help to resolve the problem and for me, it's the key,” said Poeti

Many members of the Liberal party's youth wing are also lending their support to Moreau's campaign, and Moreau was proud to announce that the grandson of former Liberal premier Jean Lesage was joining his campaign. Lesage is seen by many as the father of the Quiet Revolution.

Reaching out to young people is part of Moreau’s plan.

“He's a very nice guy, very fun. He always has a lot of time to give to his staff and also to people who are just giving their time like me,” said Rafael Primeau-Ferraro of the Quebec Liberal Party Youth Wing.

Suzanne Marcil, the wife of former premier Daniel Johnson, also lent her support.

Moreau said he will campaign to restore certainty to a Quebec that is already roiled by confusion after just one month of having the Parti Quebecois in power.

Political analyst Jean Lapierre said Moreau may be off to a good start, but still has plenty of work ahead of him. 

“He's done his homework. Obviously he'll have to get more support, because this has nothing to do with popularity or what have you. When you have to elect 24 delegates per riding and the winner takes all, it's a question of organization,” he said.

Last week former finance minister Raymond Bachand was the first to declare his desire to replace Jean Charest as Liberal party chief, and former health minister Philippe Couillard, who stepped away from politics several years ago, is expected to throw his hat in the ring Wednesday.