Pierre-Karl Péladeau targeted by opponents in PQ leadership debate
Path to leadership could be lined with cringe-worthy moments for PKP if he ducks key questions
Parti Québecois leadership opponents showed perceived front runner Pierre-Karl Péladeau that he'll need to field direct, clear questions on core issues for their party if he wants to win his leadership bid.
The theme of the first official debate, held Wednesday in Trois-Rivières, was the economy and public finances.
But candidates also used it as an opportunity to put Péladeau on the spot.
Given his front-runner status, it was expected that Péladeau would have a target on his back when he walked into the auditorium at the Cégep de Trois-Rivières.
The most heated moments came when fellow candidates grilled him on issues at the core of their party, including sovereignty and government–union relations.
Meanwhile, the media baron showed them, he will not answer the questions until he wants to (or until he has an answer).
At his first opportunity, Bernard Drainville, PQ MNA for Marie-Victorin, asked Péladeau to explain his plan for sovereignty.
Péladeau has not been clear on if he will hold a referendum within the first mandate of a PQ government.
The MNA for Saint-Jérôme said he plans on opening a sovereignty research centre, but otherwise, avoided the question.
It was a move Drainville called “disappointing” after the debate, adding that he hoped to get a clear answer.
Other candidates have outlined their vision for sovereignty in their campaign platforms.
Union relations and tax havens
On another key PQ plank – the government’s relationship with unions – Martine Ouellet asked Péladeau where he stood on the former PQ government’s anti-scab legislation. On that question, he squirmed and did not answer.
The former head of Quebecor also faced a question about the company his father built. Fellow candidate Pierre Cere asked if Quebecor ever used off-shore tax havens for tax avoidance.
Péladeau, who released his economic platform the day before and dedicated a section to fighting the problem, said the question was off-topic.
Direct on salary freeze
There was one moment, however, when Péladeau did answer a question directly from one of his opponents.
Alexandre Cloutier asked, "Pierre Karl, are you for or against a salary freeze?"
The Couillard government is proposing one over two years in contract negotiations with the province's public service.
To that question, Péladeau said he's against.
"The government says the public service doesn't deserve an increase. That seems totally inappropriate to me," he said.
By repeatedly targeting Péladeau this way, his opponents are not only trying to chip away at his popularity because he becomes uncomfortable and appears like he is hiding something.
They are also jockeying for the runner-up position, especially if he does not win on the first ballot on May 15.
It is not the first time this week Péladeau has become uncomfortable under questioning. In Saint-Hubert on Tuesday, he refused to take more than one question from a reporter, resulting in a tense and awkward stand-off with the press.
You can watch it (in French) here.
There are two things this week has shown:
First, although some believe Péladeau is on the road to the top of the PQ, getting there will not be without direct questions from his own party and the media.
The second? That the path will be lined with some cringe-worthy and awkward moments unless he answers questions clearly and directly.
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