Longtime West Islander to lead PQ

Marois will succeed Andre Boisclair, who stepped down as leader weeks after the PQ slid to thirtd-party status in the National Assembly in the March 26 provincial election.

St. Laurent resident Philemon Cousineau resigned as leader of the Quebec Conservative Party in 1916 after he lost his seat in the Jacques Cartier riding that year.

Marois issued a statement on the party's website, saying PQ members must work toward building a strong, sovereign Quebec by not pushing for a timetable on sovereignty.

"The Parti Quebecois must avoid the trap of discussing timetables or the obligation of holding a referendum," she wrote, adding the PQ must update its model of social democracy "so that it reflects a realistic and progressive Quebec and world. . .

"Once and for all we must stop being afraid of wealth and no longer look at it as if it reflects from the common good and building unity. To the contrary, wealth actually allows us to be more united," she wrote.

Marois' statement said the main electoral pillars will be families, education, the environment, health and culture.