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PQ leadership candidate Martine Ouellet talks nationalizing the Internet in Quebec

Martine Ouellet speaks to supporters in Montreal, Friday, May 27, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Parti Québécois (PQ) leadership candidate Martine Ouellet said she would consider nationalizing Internet infrastructure in Quebec if telecommunications companies failed to comply with certain demands.

READ MORE: Parti Québécois will vote for a new leader to replace Péladeau on Oct. 7

Ouellet said Monday that if she is elected PQ leader and then premier, she will demand that Internet companies lower their rates and increase speeds, or risk having their infrastructure taken over by the government.

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READ MORE: Véronique Hivon drops out of PQ leadership race

The PQ candidate said Internet access is an essential service and a right similar to electricity.

READ MORE: PQ leadership hopeful, Martine Ouellet, wants Quebec athletes to compete under Quebec Flag

Ouellet said Quebecers should pay one common reduced rate and have speeds of one gigabit per second.

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READ MORE: As PKP quits politics, others jockey for Parti Québécois leadership

She added that Quebecers living under the poverty line should be offered even cheaper access.

READ MORE: Pierre Karl Péladeau quits PQ leadership, politics

The three other candidates running to replace Pierre Karl Péladeau are Alexandre Cloutier, Jean-François Lisée and Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.

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