PQ members want another referendum soon, internal document reveals

If the Parti Qubcois is voted into power again, party members would like it to hold a sovereignty referendum shortly after the election.

That's according to an internal PQ document obtained by CBCRadio-Canada.

Party officials consulted about 2,500 members to decide rules for the leadership race.

The document states that many are exasperated with the debate onsovereignty.

The members of the Parti Qubcois want, first and foremost,the Parti Qubcois and its representatives to beactively engaged in drafting a sovereignty plan to promote and demonstrate the benefits of an independent Quebec, rather thandiscuss the referendum timetable, the document states.

PQ fumbled sovereignty issue, members say

Members said the party fumbled on sovereignty in the last election.

After Pierre Karl Pladeau raised his fist in the air declaring he wanted to make Quebec a country, leader Pauline Marois's campaign derailed.

The document states that the next time around, members want to make the sovereignty issue front and centreand to work towards holding a referendum in "the short term."

Members also want the party to develop economic arguments in favour of independenceand to create a large coalition within the PQ.

The PQs membership will vote for the new leader in May 2015. Riding presidents will meet soon to discuss rules for the leadership race.

The candidates areMNAsBernardDrainville, Pierre KarlPladeau,AlexandreCloutier,MartineOuellet,and labour rights activist PierreCr.