Pierre Karl Pladeau to run for PQ in Saint-Jrme

Media mogul Pierre Karl Pladeauwill run as the Parti Qubcois candidate in the riding ofSaint-Jrme.

PQ leader Pauline MaroisconfirmedPladeaus candidacy at a news conference Sunday morning.

The move reverses Pladeaus earlier assertions that he would not run for public office.

Pladeauis one of Quebecs most prominent business leaders, having occupied positions including President and CEO ofVidotronand CEO ofQuebecor, the company founded by his father, PierrePladeau.

He announced Sunday that he had resigned his various board of director positions atQuebecor and Hydro-Qubec. He was appointed to the latter position in April 2013 by the PQ government.

He also pledged that the various media organizations owned by Quebecor would maintain their editorial independence.

As to his financial assets, Pladeau said they would be placed in a blind trust. He will remain a shareholder in Quebecor.

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Marois' announcement played up Pladeau'strack record as one of Quebec's most powerfulbusinessmen.

"Pierre Karl Pladeau embodies the spirit of business, the desire to build and innovate and succeed that characterizes our entrepreneurs, generation after generation," she said.

Marois also welcomed Pladeau's commitment to building an independent Quebec.

Pladeausaid it was matter of "immense pride" to join the ranks of the PQ.

"My connection to the PQ is a connection rooted in my deepest, most intimate values, and that is making Quebec a country," he said.

FTQ not impressed

Pladeauwill likely be a controversial choice among thePQ'sleft-leaning supporters considering his role inlengthy lockouts at twoQuebecornewspapers, Le JournaldeMontraland Le JournaldeQubec.

His candidacy was roundly condemned Sunday by the FTQ,Quebec's largest union, as a "catastrophe" for working men and women in Quebec.

"He is probably one of the worst employers that Quebec has ever known," the FTQ said in a news release, citing Pladeau'shistory of lockouts.

PQ opponents react

The riding ofSaint-Jrmewas won in 2012 by CoalitionAvenirQubeccandidate JacquesDuchesneau, who is not running for office in the April 7 election.

CAQ leader FranoisLegault, who began his political career with the PQ, said Pladeau runs the risk of being disappointed with his chosen party. Legault had tried to recruit Pladeau to run as the CAQ candidate for Saint-Jrme.

When I went to the Parti Qubcois, I told myself that we were going to revitalize Quebec, that we would limit the power of the union lobby and reduce expenses. And I was disappointed. I came to the conclusion that with the PQ, all public finance and economic reforms are heldhostage byone subject: a referendum on sovereignty, he said.

Legault said Pladeaus economic vision contradicts that of the PQ. Noting the increases in daycare fees, hydro rates and the expected deficit outlined in the PQ budget, Legault asked if that was Pladeaus idea of economic reform.

At a news conference in the riding of Roberval, Liberal leader Philippe Couillard said he welcomed Pladeaus decision to run for public office, but it did not reflect any significant change in the PQs priorities.

People are tired of referendums and division, Couillard said.

Qubec Solidaire's Franoise David had harsh words for the PQ and itsdecision to enlist Pladeau. Noting the PQ'srecent efforts to solicit the progressive votefrom her party and to recruit Qubec Solidaire's existing MNAs, David said the PQ's recruitment of Pladeau sends the wrong message.

"Never, never, will a Quebec SolidaireMNA sit next to Pierre Karl Pladeau [in the national assembly]," she said to applause from her audience.