Excerpts of Peladeau’s resignation announcement

MONTREAL – Pierre Karl Peladeau announced his political resignation on Monday, less than a year after becoming Parti Quebecois leader. Here are some excerpts of his French-language statement translated into English by The Canadian Press:

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“I am forced to make a choice, an agonizing choice, between my family and my political project, our political project, which is shared by so many people. I have chosen my family.

“So I’m announcing, with regret, that I am leaving immediately as leader of the Parti Quebecois, leader of the official Opposition and as the member of the legislature for Saint-Jerome.

“I am making this decision for the well-being of my children. I must remain an example to them.”

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“I deeply love the Parti Quebecois, its members and its MNAs (members of the national assembly).

“It is a great party that supports the project to make Quebec a country as well as the deep values involved in defending the interests of Quebecers.”

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“I will remain a member of the Parti Quebecois. I am convinced that the future of Quebec and that of Quebecers involves the independence of our nation.”