Pierre Karl Péladeau speaks at a press conference in Saint-Jérome, Que., on March 9, 2014.GRAHAM HUGHES/The Canadian Press
Media magnate Pierre Karl Péladeau says he doesn't have to answer reporters' questions, indicating he prefers Facebook as a means of communication.
The controlling shareholder of Quebecor Inc. has become a Facebook aficionado in recent months, using it to criticize his political rivals.
In recent weeks, Péladeau has taken to the site to demand an apology from Health Minister Gaétan Barrette and to question Premier Philippe Couillard's ethics.
On Monday the Parti Québécois member of the legislature for Saint-Jérôme posted three public Facebook messages to go after François Legault, leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec party.
Some of Péladeau's political foes are urging him to make himself more available to reporters at the national assembly. That didn't seem to sway Péladeau on Tuesday.
"I'm with you," he told reporters during one scrum, saying he's not scared of running into them.
Péladeau said he appreciates the efficiency of communicating via social media, particularly Facebook.
"I discovered Facebook a few months after I decided to run [in last spring's election campaign]. My organization set up the account."
He said he only found out about his page after he fractured a hip, a collarbone and ribs in a serious cycling accident in May.
"I was asked to have a photo taken … and I was told the photo would be posted on Facebook. That's how I found out I had a Facebook page. I find it's very efficient for communicating."
And when it does come to speaking to reporters, Péladeau said he prefers scrums instead of one-on-ones.
"If I accepted every media invitation for a one-on-one, I would never be able to get my job done as a member of the legislature."