Pierre Karl Péladeau hires ex-Hydro spokesman as communications director
Steve Flanagan represented Hydro-Quebec during 1998 Ice Storm
Parti Québécois leadership candidate Pierre Karl Péladeau has hired a communications director who specializes in crisis management.
Steve Flanagan is best known for his role as Hydro-Quebec's main public-relations spokesman during the province's 1998 ice storm.
His appointment comes a week after Péladeau landed in hot water for stating that immigration was hurting the sovereignty movement.
Péladeau, who apologized a day later, said in Quebec City today he doesn't believe his campaign has been in crisis.
The controlling shareholder of Quebecor Inc. is the perceived front-runner in the PQ race, which will culminate with electing Pauline Marois' successor in May.
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His opponents are Pierre Céré and former cabinet ministers Alexandre Cloutier, Bernard Drainville and Martine Ouellet.