Bloc Quebecois leader Martine Ouellet refusing to step down

After holding a long meeting in Montreal to discuss the future of her party following the resignation of seven of the ten current Bloc Quebecois MPs, the party’s leader, Martine Ouellet, did not quit.

The pressure was on Oullet to resign after more than 20 former Bloc Québécois MPs called on her to step down.

They published an open letter in a Montreal newspaper accusing her of being intransigent and weakening Quebec’s voice in Ottawa.

The seven MPs said they resigned over Ouellet’s leadership style.

When questioned by journalists, Ouellet admitted there was room for improvement.

WATCH: There was intense speculation around the Bloc Quebecois’ leader, Martin Ouellet potentially resigning. The speculation intensified after an emergency caucus meeting was held today, following the resignation of 7 of 10 of the Bloc’s MPs. Global’s Dan Spector reports.

1:26 Bloc Quebecois leader Martine Ouellet won’t quit after caucus turmoil

During the press conference, Ouellet said multiple times that “the door is open” for the MPs who quit.

“It’s clear for me, it was never a question of exclusion. The MPs who quit can remain members of the Bloc Quebecois,” Ouellet said.

Ouellet said she has “full support” of her caucus to continue to pursue her mandate and work towards Quebec independence.

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“I’m very proud of the meeting we had today,” she said.

WATCH BELOW:

The Bloc Québécois is losing seven of its sitting MPs, who will sit as independents because they disagree with party leader Martine Ouellet. 

0:24 Ouellet’s leadership style causes 7 Bloc Quebecois MPs to quit party