Mediaboss Marketing

MONTREALHe built an empire. Now he wants to break a country.

Pierre Karl Pladeau, a Canadian media industry titan whose Quebecor Inc. conglomerate draws audiences and readers from the Pacific through the Prairies to la belle province where it dominates most, has come out in full-throated support of Quebec sovereignty. The 52-year-old announced Sunday that he will run for office as a member of the Parti Qubcois.

Today, we have the tools to take control of our own destiny, said Pladeau before a cheering partisan crowd in St. Jerome, northwest of Montreal, where he will vie for votes in the provincial election April 7.

My devotion to the Parti Qubcois is a devotion that rises from my most intimate values that is to say: To make Quebec a country, he proclaimed, raising his fist as roars rang out.

A divisive character of great renown in Quebec, Pladeaus entry into politics was rumoured for weeks, despite firm denials from the media baron that he intended to do so. Now that he has, the provinces political scene has been shaken up, with competing choruses of approval and denunciation following his candidacy announcement.

The FTQ, one of the provinces biggest unions, released a statement of astonishment at Pladeaus candidacy for the PQ, calling him one of the worst employers Quebec has ever known.

Franoise David, co-leader of the left-leaning separatist Qubec Solidaire, also took a shot at the PQ for welcoming Pladeau into its fold. Never will a member of Qubec Solidaire sit next to Pierre Karl Pladeau, in the rows of the National Assembly, she told reporters Sunday.

The PQ has been openly courting QS supporters with their secularism charter, and there has even been talk of a possible coalition. No chance of that anymore, said David.

Meanwhile, former Bloc Qubcois leader Gilles Duceppe was among those applauding Pladeau. Sovereignty isnt left, nor is it right. Its ahead. Congratulations to Mr. Pladeau for his decision, he wrote on Twitter.

Often referred to simply by his initials, PKP, the former philosophy major is a veritable celebrity in Quebec. His recent split from Julie Snyder, a famous TV producer behind Quebecs American Idol-style shows Star Acadmie and La Voix, has been tabloid fodder for weeks. Pladeau referenced the separation Sunday, telling reporters he didnt decide to run until he had Snyders full support.

Read more here:
Former Quebecor Media president running for PQ