One of the surviving Quebec Liberal MNAs that had been touted as a future leader of the party says he won't be running for the vacant party leadership.
Pontiac MNA — and former Transport Minister — André Fortin says he won't run, saying leading the Liberal party would leave little time left for his young daughters, aged two and six.
"While I’m a Liberal through and through, and while I truly believe our Party will do great things for Quebec, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot be the leader our Party needs, and the father my children need. Therefore, I will not be a candidate in the upcoming leadership race," he wrote on his Facebook page.
"I will continue to serve as MNA for Pontiac. It’s the best job in the world."
Fortin is 37 years old, is popular within the party, and is fluently bilingual. He told reporters that he would end up working 20-hour days in an effort to rebuild the party. "It just didn't coincide with the type of father I want to be. I don't think it would have been fair to my own daughters," he said.
Fortin's standing down could leave the door open for St. Henri-Ste. Anne MNA Dominique Anglade, who has expressed interest in the job left vacant by former premier Philippe Couillard.
Among the others who've turned down a chance to lead the party are Gaétan Barrette, Pierre Moreau and Sébastien Proulx.
The party isn't expected to choose a new leader for another year.