Bloc Quebecois Leader Daniel Paille shakes hands with supporters after announcing his resignation at a news conference in Montreal, Monday, Dec.16, 2013.Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press
Former Bloc Québécois leader Daniel Paillé is one of three candidates running for the presidency of Desjardins Group, Quebec's giant co-operative financial services group.
Mr. Paillé, 64, succeeded Gilles Duceppe as head of the BQ in 2011 but stepped down two years later on doctor's orders after having been diagnosed with epilepsy.
He said at the time that his condition was manageable but that being chief of a political party was too high-stress.
Two other internal candidates are in the ring in Desjardins' unique electoral college system to elect a new chief: Guy Cormier, senior vice-president, co-operative network and personal services; and Robert Ouellette, senior VP, technology and shared services centre.
The candidates now enter an election period, running until March 18, during which they outline their vision and meet privately with members of Desjardins' 256 electoral college members.
Members include representatives of the co-operative's credit unions, or Caisses populaires; they are also members of the group's Quebec and Ontario regional councils and the Group Caisse Council.
The electoral college members are set to meet in camera on March 19 to elect a replacement for Monique Leroux, who is nearing the end of a second four-year term.
Desjardins Group is Canada's largest finance co-operative with total assets of $251-billion.
Bertrand Marotte