ST-CONSTANT, Que. - The latest Parti Quebecois defector to a new political party says he's looking forward to seeing sovereigntists and federalists work together.

Francois Rebello becomes the ninth sitting MNA to join the ranks of the new Coalition for Quebec's Future, which is leading opinion polls.

The new party has no official position on independence, the one issue that has defined Quebec politics since the 1970s. It says it wants to give the debate a rest for a while.

Rebello told a news conference near Montreal today that he remains a committed sovereigntist.

But for now, he says, he's excited by the idea that Quebecers who support and oppose independence can work side by side within a political party, the same way they co-operate every day in the workplace.

"We can work together _ even with federalists,'' Rebello said, with a beaming Coalition Leader Francois Legault standing by his side.

"It's a pleasure for me. Like many of you, in your place of work, people work together _ federalists, sovereigntists work together for the betterment of their business, of their organization. Well, we in government also need to be able to work together for the wellbeing of Quebecers.

"We can strengthen Quebec as much as possible and after that, every avenue is open _ including that of sovereignty.''

The prominent 41-year-old MNA, a former economist, will be responsible for preparing a green-economy strategy for the party.