Former Bloc MPs consider starting new federal party

MP RhalFortintold reporters on Tuesday that he and his colleagues are cutting all ties with the Bloc. The seven members resigned from the party in Februaryciting Leader MartineOuellet's leadership and her political priorities.

"If we want to do our job correctly, with professionalism,with all of our hearts we have no other choice than to start a new party for the Quebecers to give them what they deserve to have in that Parliament," he said.

"It's impossible to go back.Mrs. Ouellet is there. She changed the mentality or the interpretation of the mission of the BlocQubcoisand we have no other choice."

The Bloc, which once formed the Official Opposition, has been cut down to just three remaining MPs.

In a speech on Sunday, Ouellet, who doesn't hold a seatin the House of Commons,accused the seven dissident MPs of promoting "fake news'' against her and breaking with the party's "internal democracy."

A two-day vote on Ouellet's leadership will begin June 1, along with a referendum on whether the Bloc should focus on promotingQuebecindependence on a daily basis.

It will be decided on a 50 per cent plus one basis with the result announced June 3.