PQ member Martine Ouellet considering run at Bloc Québécois leadership

One of the most hardline sovereigntists in Quebec’s legislature said Thursday she’s considering a run at the Bloc Québécois leadership.

Parti Québécois (PQ) member Martine Ouellet said she has been approached by people in the federal party who asked her to think about seeking the job.

She is a twice-failed PQ leadership candidate and was the only one in this fall’s campaign who promised to hold a sovereignty referendum in a first mandate if elected premier.

READ MORE: Interim Bloc Québécois leader not interested in the job on a permanent basis

Ouellet, 47, told reporters the Bloc is more pertinent than ever and that it needs to work closely with the PQ.

“The Bloc Québécois is an important force in Ottawa,” she said.

“There is an expertise at the federal level that we need to preserve and develop in order to realize Quebec’s independence.”

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She said the Bloc needs to be “strengthened” and added she will take the holidays to consider her decision.

PQ leader Jean-François Lisée said Ouellet would be a solid candidate.

READ MORE: Gilles Duceppe steps down as leader of the Bloc Québécois

“I don’t comment on leadership candidacies,” he told reporters.

“But certainly, among the good candidacies, there is Martine’s.”

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Ouellet finished third behind Alexandre Cloutier and Lisée in the recent PQ leadership campaign.

Her public musings came a day after the interim Bloc leader said he isn’t interested in the job on a permanent basis.

Rhéal Fortin, who has headed the party since last year’s federal election, said his decision to not run is in the best interests of the party, of Quebec and of the sovereigntist movement.

READ MORE: Quebec sovereigntist movement in trouble

On Wednesday, five people, including Bloc members and former candidates, published a statement soliciting Ouellet’s candidacy.

The Bloc needs a “person with experience, conviction, someone who can unite, someone with clear leadership, a progressive thinker,” they said.

Nobody has yet entered the race, which officially begins next February, but Fortin believes there will be no shortage of candidates.

The Bloc currently has 10 of the 78 MPs from Quebec.