Bloc Qubcois leader unveils plan to quell party discord

Embattled Bloc Qubcois Leader Martine Ouellet is proposing to hold a referendum among membersin order to ease tensions within her party.

Seven of the party's 10 MPs quit the BQ caucus last week, citing Ouellet's leadership style and her insistence on the constant promotion of sovereignty as the reasons for their departure.

On Thursday, Ouellet stood with her allies, including party vice-president Kedina Fleury-Samson, at a news conference in Montreal and revealed three measures aimed at addressing the friction:

• Move up the general meeting to mid-April. It was originally scheduled for mid-May.
• Hold a referendum to find out what role members believe the Bloc should play in Ottawa and in Quebec.
• Remind theMPswho quit the caucus that mediation is still an option.

In a statement, Ouellet said it's crucial that members of the party decide which direction the party should take, moving forward.

The conflict stemsin part from the fact that some members believe the Bloc's priority should be defending Quebec's interests in Ottawa, while others, includingOuellet and her allies, believethe Bloc should focus onpromotingsovereignty.

BQ delegates will decide whether to hold the referendum at the April meeting.

Ouellet'in denial,' MPs say

The plan is being seen as an attempt by Ouellet to display more openness amid the imbroglio.

But in a joint statement, the seven MPswho left say Ouellet is still ignoring the issues that led to their departure.

"For more than a week, it has been clear to us that Ms. Ouellet is in denial, has brushed aside all questioning of her leadership and is trying to discredit us by calling into question our beliefs on sovereignty," they wrote.

They continued by affirming their sovereignist beliefs and said thecurrent debate, pitting Quebec's interests against the promotion of independence, is getting "ridiculous."

A letter made public Wednesday evening revealed 30 of the Bloc's 68 riding association presidents have pledged their support for Ouellet's leadership.

Ouellet is still refusingto move up a confidence vote, scheduled for next year.