Vronique Hivon announces Parti Qubcois leadership bid

Vronique Hivonofficially launched her campaign for the PartiQubcois leadership on Monday, promising to make the pro-independence party "the motor of change."

Hivon, 46,madethe announcement in her riding ofJoliette, north of Montreal.

"I'm very happy to be a candidate for the Parti Qubcois," she told a news conference.

"This big social, democratic party must be the motor of change for all Quebecers."

Hivon is the first person to formally enter the race to replace Pierre Karl Pladeau, who stepped down suddenly last week.

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Hivon,who has alaw degree from McGillUniversityand amaster's degree in social policy from the London School of Economics,has been a PQMNA since 2008.

"I wanted tocontribute to change politics, from the inside."

She came to prominence for her role drafting Quebec's end-of-life carelegislation.

Hivonalsoserved as the province's social services and youth protection minister from 2012 to 2014.

Her campaign sloganis "Faisons-nous confiance" Trust Each Other.

"A lot of Quebecers, and we canall understand them at least a little, are disillusioned by politics," she said.

"I am not disillusioned. The wager I want to make with you is that we will rebuild trust. Let's be the party that shows it understands that we can't go forward like this."

Hivon also talked about the importance of keepingthe fight for sovereignty aliveand making the concept more concrete.

"Sovereigntymust be back in people'shearts. It can't be a dream that isover and in the past. It has to be very close to us," Hivon said, adding that she is in no rush to make Quebec a country.

"It is time we talk about the project [of sovereignty], and not focus on a timeline or a date on a calendar."

Hivon also thankedPladeau for leaving his comfort zone to enter politics.

She said her campaign will focus on main themes, including social justice, economic development, environmental and sustainabledevelopment and the promotion of the French language.

"I want to be the leader of a reinvented Parti Qubcois."

Hivon said she will dedicate one day a week to her family throughout the leadership race.

Other candidates?

At a news conference earlier today, fellow MNAMartineOuelletsaidshe hasn't yetdecided ifshe will run.

Other candidates rumouredto be considering joining the race are former cabinet ministerAlexandre Cloutier and long-time PQ insiderJean-Franois Lise.

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Legislature veteran Sylvain Gaudreault is serving as interim leader.

Party members will elect a new leader between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15.