QUEBEC CITY – After spending six days in hospital, media mogul turned MNA Pierre Karl Péladeau rushed back to the National Assembly, wheelchair-bound and eager to get to work.
“My general condition was improving. I watched on television the speeches from the Premier and the leader last week,” he told a news conference.
Péladeau fractured his hip, collarbone and five ribs when he tumbled off his bike in the Eastern Townships. He also had some minor bleeding in the head. Despite warnings his recovery could take months, the St-Jérôme MNA insisted he’s feeling fine. He can’t use the right side of his body and is on painkillers, but wanted to quash rumours he was preparing to use the accident to withdraw from political life.
“Many people said I wouldn’t sit as an MNA, well they’re making a big mistake,” Péladeau said.
Péladeau is the PQ’s economic development critic. His colleagues welcomed him back, while Premier Philippe Couillard applauded his courage and determination.
“It’s very early considering that he had, fortunately, something I think he will recover from, but still many fractures, certainly very painful for him. To see him back at the National Assembly so early needs to be noted,” he said.
CAQ leader François Legault was a bit more skeptical. He said Péladeau probably has some ulterior motives.
“Of course he will probably be one of the guys running for the leadership of the PQ, he’ll get of course some attention from you, the media,” said Legault.
As Péladeau basked in the attention, another returning MNA was staying far from cameras. Former Liberal Transport Minister Julie Boulet was back on Monday after testifying at the Charbonneau commission.
It was a rough start for Boulet, who gave the PQ the one-finger salute in Question Period.
She later apologized.
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