Pierre Karl Pladeau hires ex-Hydro spokesman as communications director

Parti Qubcoisleadership candidate Pierre KarlPladeauhas hired a communications director who specializesin crisis management.

Steve Flanagan is best known for his role asHydro-Quebec's main public-relations spokesman during the province's1998 ice storm.

His appointment comes a week afterPladeau landed in hot waterfor stating that immigration was hurting the sovereignty movement.

• Pierre Karl Pladeau apologizes for immigration remarks

Pladeau, who apologized a day later, said in Quebec City todayhe doesn't believe his campaign has been in crisis.

The controlling shareholder of Quebecor Inc.is theperceived front-runner in the PQ race, which will culminate with electingPauline Marois'successorin May.

• ANALYSIS: Pierre-Karl Pladeau targeted by opponents in PQ leadership debate
• Jean-Franois Lise withdraws from PQ leadership race

His opponents are Pierre Cr and former cabinet ministersAlexandre Cloutier, Bernard Drainville and Martine Ouellet.