PQ will ‘have its hands full’ if Peladeau returns to politics: Couillard

HANGZHOU, China — The Parti Quebecois will “have its hands full” if media magnate Pierre Karl Peladeau decides to run in the upcoming provincial election, Premier Philippe Couillard said Wednesday.

The head of Quebecor Inc. resigned as PQ leader in May 2016 for family reasons, but told Radio-Canada this week he is not ruling out returning to the political arena.

Couillard picked up an old attack line when asked about the rumours today while in China on a trade mission.

The premier said heading a media empire and becoming involved in politics would raise conflict of interest issues and supply fodder for political commentators.

“It’s not trivial that the head of a media company with the biggest reach in Quebec is also an active political adversary,” the premier said.

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“There aren’t a lot of examples of this and it brings up certain issues and it’s up to society to discuss this, and for him to talk about it too.”

Peladeau’s Quebecor owns Le Journal de Montreal and Le Journal de Quebec, as well as a popular television network. The company has a large telecom division that provides internet, cable and cellphone services across the province.

Quebecor is also involved in the magazine industry and the sports broadcast industry.

Couillard said he’ll revisit the issue if and when Peladeau announces his return.

News of Peladeau’s possible comeback has surfaced amid polls suggesting the PQ is languishing in third place behind the Coalition Avenir Quebec and Couillard’s governing Liberals. The Quebec election will be held Oct. 1.

PQ Leader Jean-Francois Lisee told reporters this week he’d welcome Peladeau back into the fold.

A trio of party stalwarts — Alexandre Cloutier, Agnes Maltais and Nicole Leger — announced last week they won’t seek re-election.

Other PQ veterans have said they’re reflecting on whether to run, as are several Liberal members.

Companies in this story: (TSX:QBR.B)

The Canadian Press