Pierre Karl Pladeau resignation has politicians pondering work-life balance

Pierre Karl Pladeau'stearful evocation of his children as the main reason hequit as leader of the Parti Qubcoison Mondayhas politicians of all stripes reflecting on the challenges they face making time for family.

"We all feel for him," said Montreal mayor Denis Coderre during a media scrum Tuesday.

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Pladeautold a news conference in Montreal on Monday he wassteppingdownforfamily reasons.

"I had to make a difficultchoice between my family and our political project," he said in a brief speech."I chose my family."

Pladeaumarried Julie Snyder, his longtime girlfriend and a popularQuebectelevisionproducer and host, in astar-studded weddinglast August.The couple announcedthey were separating in January.

In a highlypublicizedand candidinterview Sunday night on Radio-Canada's talk showTout lemondeenparle,Snyder saidthe couple tried to work out their differences but were currently going through a challengingdivorce mediation.

Coderre, a political veteran andformer federal cabinet minister, is known as a hard-working mayor who attends events seven days a week, often late into the evening.

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Coderrehas two children, now in their 20s.

"You need to pass some quality time with your son or daughter.You need to think about the couple too.It's important to make sure you don't forget yourself,"Coderresaid.

He told reporters about his own personal struggles.

"I lived through a separation myself and I came back with my wife.I understand the toughness.Sometimes the worst happens.You have a lot of divorce, a lot of separation,"Coderresaid.

Guilt and tears from MNAs

Dominique Anglade, Quebec'seconomic development minister, is relatively new to politics after being elected in a by-election last fall. She has three young children.

Angladetold CBC Newsshe was moved by Pladeau'stearfulpress conference.

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"I felt for him, because he had to choose between his real conviction, his passion, and family, and I find this is a very tough decision to make," Anglade said.

Angladeadmitted she feels guilty sometimes as a mother.

"But you feel that you can have an impact on society, and that's why you do it," she said.

PQ MNAFrancois Gendron, the longest-serving member of the National Assembly, choked uphimself in an interview with Radio-Canada.

"I lived it.I have three kids.Someone who chooses those he loves, as he did.I salute this decision," Gendron said.

Striking a balance

Some politicians are taking steps to try to carve out time for families.

Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna told CBC in January every night she shuts off her phone between 5:30 p.m.and 8:00 p.m. to spend time withher family.

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When Catherine McKenna was elected and then appointed to cabinet, she vowed to stop work at 5:30pm most days to have family time. She joined All in a Day about how that promise is going, as did MP Hedy Fry.

"I just decided that it was really important that I figure out a way that I could be effective at work but also be happy," McKenna said.

For his part, Coderrerecently introduced a daycare service at Montreal City Hall wherecouncillors and voters can leave their kids during council meetings.

"We need to find ways so people will be able to participate in democratic life," Coderre said.