Veronique Hivon has officially launched her bid to become the next leader of the Parti Quebecois.

Surrounded by four PQ MNA's, Hivon made the official announcement on Monday afternoon in her riding of Joliette.

She thanked all her supporters for pushing her to run.

Hivon said the party should "reinvent" itself with a focus on social democracy and a push for an independent Quebec. 

“I want the youth to be interested again in the Parti Quebecois -- this Parti Quebecois that was created by Rene Levesque that was appealing to young people,” she said.

Hivon served as junior health and youth protection minister, as well as social services minister under Pauline Marois. She is perhaps most well-known for lobbying for the Dying with Dignity bill, which she fought since her days as junior health minister. The bill was brought into law late last year.

Peladeau put Hivon in charge of the PQ’s convergence plan in an effort to reach out to the other sovereignist parties to form an alliance for the next election.

Hivon calls herself a consensus builder and does not believe it is a liability.

“It's funny because sometimes people say, you know, she's all about consensus and all that. Well, I think it's good when you're able to build a consensus. I think it should be something that's interesting in a society,” she said.

Given that Peladeau stepped down for family reasons, Hivon also said she was going to be careful to balance family and work during her campaign, and promised to take them with her as she toured the province this summer.

Hivon also said she would devote one day a week exclusively to her husband and their daughter.

“I have a great family, the best family and they are incredibly supportive,” she said.

On Friday, Hivon told reporters the reason she didn’t run for the last leadership race was personal, and that the personal circumstances that were present last year are no longer an issue.

"For some very personal circumstances the last time I decided not to run. It was the best decision for my family. Now those circumstances have changed so everything is possible," said Hivon.

During last leadership race, Hivon supported the candidacy of her close colleague Alexandre Cloutier, who finished in second place behind Pierre Karl Péladeau.

Cloutier and Hivon are considered frontrunners in this race.

Cloutier expected to run

Cloutier has repeatedly said in recent days that he is also considering running and would make his decision public shortly – he is expected to announce his leadership run later this week.

He said that no matter what happens, he will work with Hivon.

"I've been working with Veronique in every condition, the good one, and really really bad one, and we've always been able to be friends and work together," said Cloutier.

With the possibility of facing Hivon, Cloutier said the rivalry would be professional, not personal.

"Everyone knows that we have a special relationship. Of course it makes this situation a bit special, there's no doubt about that. We call it a bit Shakespearean. At the end of the day we'll work together," he said.

Two other members of caucus, Nicolas Marceau and Martine Ouellet, are also considering running, with Ouellet expected to make her official announcement on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Jean-Martin Aussant confirmed Sunday that we would in fact not be running for PQ leader. A protege of Jacques-Parizeau, the former MNA who left the PQ because he did not believe it was doing enough to promote an independent Quebec.

He started his own party, Option Nationale, but after its dismal showing in 2012 quit politics and moved to London. He has since returned.

Official candidacy papers must be filed in June. The leader will be chosen sometime between September 15 and October 15.