CTV News Montreal

Updated: Wed Jan. 25 2012 6:53:17 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

JOLIETTE — Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois, fresh from surviving a whisper campaign to replace her with former Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe, is welcoming messages of support from her MNAs at a two-day caucus meeting.

Politician after politician walked into the meeting in Joliette and proclaimed their support for Marois, with many calling her the "dame de beton," a concrete pillar who is resilient and has weathered storms.

Veronique Hivon said that the squabbling and infighting that has marked the PQ, especially over the past year, should be taken as a show of strength.

"I think that more and more Quebecers see how resilient and how determined Mme. Marois is and I think it's very good news for the PQ," said Hivon.

Stephane Bergeron, the MNA for Vercheres, said having to defend Marois is "the name of the game" when it comes to being a member of the PQ.

"We have said that in the past, we haven't changed our mind," said Bergeron.

MNAs displayed that unity support by giving their leader a lengthy standing ovation when she walked into the meeting.

Marois said the two-day meeting will give her party to get back to basics.

"We have a responsibility to Quebecers. We are here to prepare for the next legislative session, and to adopt fundamental measures which will benefit all Quebecers," said Marois.

Drainville offered no comment

The outspoken Bernard Drainville, who's been criticized for making comments that he fears the party could become obsolete and disappear, didn't take questions from reporters Wednesday morning, saying only "I'll keep my comments for my colleagues."

Drainville recently said the PQ should strongly consider an alliance with Quebec Solidaire, a party that has only one elected MNA, Amir Khadir.

No mention of 'mother-in-law'

Similarly, no mention was made of this week's open letter from former PQ leader Bernard Landry.

In his letter Landry criticized Marois's strategy of putting the quest for an independent Quebec on the back-burner.

Despite polls showing the Parti Quebecois having the support of just 11 percent of Quebecers, Landry believes many more will choose the PQ because they still believe in sovereignty.

"I'm not addressing to Mme. Marois, I'm addressing the Parti Quebecois," said Landry. "Sovereignty is more popular today than it was 10 months before the referendum in 1995."

MNA Nicolas Girard said he has no doubts about the tactic.

"We're in a good mood right now and I think we have a good team. Mme. Marois is a very good leader for Quebecers and for the Parti Quebecois," said Girard.

This weekend the PQ will hold its annual meeting for all members in Montreal.

The next session of the National Assembly begins on February 14.

Comments are now closed for this story

Bilym
Just saw this on ctv now haha ive never seen pauline marois still stuck in 1979. And that guy that hugs her he looks like hes born in 1940. Youth movement lives on

Gregory Price
I think the expensive office silent flush toilet billed to the taxpayers was the beginning of her end with the public. The grandiose sense of entiltement amongst many of the PQ (and other parties as well) has revealed them to the public as nothing more than stagnant occupiers of a job for life no different from a communist backwater country. These people are seriously disconnected from everyday people yet they sure put on the ruse that they are right in the trenches with the rest of us. Charlatans all of them!

Susie-Q Mtl.
Well now isn't this nice? The "clowns" have all gathered for a lovely meeting. Wonder what "costume" they plan on "wearing"? The separation one, the lets strengthen Bill 101, the let's see how many anglo schools we can close or the let's stick it to the anglos in general. I will be waiting to see what happens tomorrow. Does CTV have any one in Joliette to report on what happens tomorrow? Should be interesting.

billy
look at that picture
not 1 person under the age of 50..
look carefully

todays quebecers (my generation) care more about jobs the economy then separation

how can a partys main goal is separation and not tell quebecers how they will fix the economy ?

aj from montreal
Like Bernard Landry, I feel so sorry for Mme Marois in her current situation as leader of a political party that, evidently speaking, is going to implode itself pretty soon.

Why can't she accept the fact that Quebec is NOT interested in her and the PQ. Even if they merge w/ Quebec Solidaire, I'm seeing that it won't make any difference at all.

Joe
I am still not sure why NHL hockey has to do with politics??

billym
they are not even the main opposition anymore

again Bernie landry hates canada so much yet has no problem collectiong a CANADIAN pension

what a bunch of hippocrates has beens.. the fater these old dinosuars die the better all of quebec will be

billym
bernie landry says separation is more popular then ever?
really? where does he see this in his dreams/

bernie please take better pills.
ask your doctor for better pills to take care of your 74 year old mind

randy
I just shows how serious the pq politics are kissing tax dollars away so ugly.

Stephan
Is it just me or does this photo opt not scream "Just give me my taxpayer guaranteed pension so I can make a fast track out before Sherlocke Holmes does some sleuthing?" Another one bites the dust.

Oh "Yes" He Gone & Did!
Now I'm confused looking at these smoocherooz. Is this a PQ meeting or a day in the Gay Village?

Maury Finkelstein
It reminds me of the cult thriller fav-film of 1975 "Carrie". All her friends (wink wink) are nice to her before they dump the bucket of pig blood on her head.

Louise Beaudoin
Oh...isn't that sooooo nice! I always knew that deep down inside they all LOVE each other as much as a bug loves a rug. I'm choking up sniffles.

Miss Penelope Swankers
Of course they supported their Queen..just like the French did when one guy held Queen Marie Antoinette's bonnet while they chopped her head off. Tee-hee-hee-giggles....and one was even said to gleefully eat a piece of cake as she frightfully watched the axe come down. Humming to the tune of "Gens du Pays". Sweet bunch!

Tojo
Love the picture.....KISS of betrayal....

Rajmo
Just when it looked like Duceppe was about to stage a coup, allegations of him misappropriating funds, while leader of the BQ, have surfaced. Congratulations to Marois for having won the prize of staying on as leader of the PQ...if that can be considered a prize...

Ron S
Unfortunatly for Marois, there were fewer and fewer MNAs at this meeting to show support because they are jumping to the CAQ in the hopes of maintaining their seats (JOBS)and we can expect the trend to continue.

Cyberdude
"Veronique Hivon said that the squabbling and infighting that has marked the PQ, especially over the past year, should be taken as a show of strength."
==============================
ONLY in THEIR universe!!! LOLOLOL

Vinnie
"dame de beton" -- a concrete pillar who is resilient and has weathered storms...

Unfortunately these screwballs are incorrect, our concrete here in quebec is cheap and explodes with seasonal changes... What an insult!