TROIS-RIVIÈRES – The tone was courteous and respectful but Pierre Karl Péladeau was again everyone’s favourite punching bag.
The first debate of the PQ leadership race Wednesday attracted about 600 people to CEGEP Trois-Rivières.
Péladeau, the perceived front-runner, started off strong, with a clear mission statement: to make Quebec a rich country.
“My friends, for a long time, my family has represented good business sense and the desire for independence,” he said in his opening remarks.
READ MORE: Péladeau enters PQ leadership race, sovereignty his only goal
But it didn’t take long for the other candidates to light a fire under Péladeau.
Bernard Drainville asked him to detail his plan to achieve sovereignty.
Péladeau stayed vague.
READ MORE: Jean-François Lisée withdraws from PQ leadership race
“With all due respect Pierre Karl, you are not answering my question,” Drainville said.
Martine Ouellet asked him if he would change labour laws to ban scabs.
Again, Péladeau skirted the issue.
But the nastiest shot probably came from last-place candidate Pierre Céré, who asked Péladeau whether Quebecor was using tax havens to hide profits.
“I don’t think it’s relevant that I talk about Quebecor. I am no longer at Quebecor,” Péladeau shot back.
After the debate, Péladeau explained his strategy was to answer the moderator’s questions, not his rivals’.
READ MORE: Alexandre Cloutier enters PQ leadership race
“I think it was important to respect the format,” he told reporters.
“The format was established by the party and questions were asked by militants. Therefore, I think it’s important for the respect of them that we answer those questions first.”
“I’m disappointed but the members of the Parti Québécois are probably more disappointed than I am because I think this is the sort of question you need to have an answer for if you’re running for the PQ leadership,” said Drainville.
READ MORE: Bernard Drainville launches PQ leadership bid
Still, the tone was cordial throughout the evening, drawing cheers from the crowd, who afterward declared every candidate had done well.
The youngest candidate, Alexandre Cloutier, was visibly the most relaxed.
“Enlightening, good humour, everyone is collaborating with everyone,” PQ member Robert Dupuis said.
READ MORE: Pierre Karl Peladeau says he’ll wait till 2018 to decide on referendum
The next debate will be held in Sherbrooke on March 29th.
PQ members elect a new leader mid-May.
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