Gatan Barrette backtracks on controversial comments about Richard Bain shooting

Quebec Health Minister GatanBarrettehas apologized for suggesting election-night shooterRichard Bainacted partly in response to heated political rhetoric in the province.

Bainwasconvicted of second-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder Tuesday for a 2012 shooting at the Metropolis, where then-Parti Qubcois leader and premier-designatePauline Marois was celebrating her election night victory with other members of her party.

• Richard Bain guilty of 2nd-degree murder in 2012 Quebec election-night shooting

A core part of the Crown'scase was anotewritten byBainduringasession with a psychiatristmonths after the shooting.

In the note, he wrote his "plan was to kill as many separatists as I could," addingthatif his semi-automatic rifle didn't jam he wold have kept on shooting, and if he hadfound Marois, he"would have killed her."

• TIMELINE: What happened the night of the election-night shooting?

PQ leader wants Barrette reined in

In a news release, interim PQ Leader Sylvain Gaudreault said he was"outraged" by Barrette's "unacceptable" comments.

"Are we to understand that [Barrette] wants to limit freedom of expression ofsovereignist MNAs? The minister of health, who has already backtracked on his remarks, as he does too often, should take his own advice and think before he speaks," he said.

Gaudreaultcalledfor Premier PhilippeCouillardto rein in his health minister.

Earlier in the day, Gaudreault said he spoke to Marois, who he said seemed relieved that the trial was over.

"But she is paying attention to what comes next, the sentencing," he added.

PQ MNA Harold Lebel told Radio-Canadait was Bain's "hatred" of sovereignists that led to the shooting.

"It's clear he wanted to eliminate sovereignists, and I am one. I've been very affected by this event since it happened," he said.

Why no terrorism charge?

Questions have been raised aboutwhyBainwasn't charged with terrorism or with attempting to murderMarois, who was speaking to supporters as he began shooting.

DennisGaliatsatos, the Crown prosecutor at the trial, saidBain'scomments about wanting to kill separatists came to light only during the testimony of a defence witness.

He said he was appointed to the case after the charges had been filed.

"Would (the new evidence) have changed the nature of the accusations? Maybe, but I'd rather not speculate," he told reporters Tuesday shortly after the jury rendered its verdict.

"I'm very comfortable with the charges as they were and as I prosecuted them. "I think that's an accurate and fair depiction of the evidence that we had."

Bain's sentencing hearing isslated to begin Sept. 9.

• RichardBain'sguilty verdict 'doesn't take away the pain' for survivor Dave Courage