At a gathering of his supporters in St-Jerome, Pierre-Karl Peladeau officially launched his bid Sunday afternoon to lead the PQ.
Peladeau spoke to several hundred supporters in a long speech that hinged on independence and the dream he believes many Quebecers still have of becoming a nation.
He also spoke about the environment, economy, entrepreneurship and youth after an introduction from former Quebec premier Bernard Landry, who told the crowd winds of change are coming.
Media magnate Peladeau announced his candidacy Thursday, and has never hidden his primary political goal.
When asked by a student what would motivate a rich man want to enter into politics, he said: “To make Quebec a country."
The PQ hopeful was light on specifics of his platform, speaking in broad strokes and rallying the troops.
The new PQ leader will be chosen March 2015, though the next provincial election isn’t until September 2018.
Peladeau joins his PQ colleagues Jean-Francois Lisee, Bernard Drainville, Alexandre Cloutier and Martine Ouellet in the race. Another candidate is Pierre Cere, a spokesman for a group that defends the unemployed.
Peleadeau has come out as the clear favourite to win the bid in recent polls.
Earlier Sunday, Lisee was in his riding of Rosemont looking to drum up support. Lisee has put himself at odds with his party by speaking out against supporting oil exploration on Anticosti Island. He said he also favours a tariff on oil transports through Quebec.
Lisee, a longshot to win the PQ bid right now, said he still has a chance to beat Peladeau and lead the party.
“We've seen campaigns start with a sure win that in the end was not sure at all, and so I'm relying on the wisdom of the members of the Parti Quebecois,” he said.
The spending limit in the PQ leadership race is $400,000 per candidate.
The race officially starts February 4.
