In a concert hall only three-quarters full, supporters held one last love in for Parti Quebecois leadership hopeful Pierre Karl Péladeau ahead of the next week’s vote.

But the rally’s focus was mainly on drumming up excitement for the prospect of an independent Quebec, a prospect Peladeau says he will deliver on.

In his speech, Peladeau acknowledged that there will never be an independent Quebec without the support of the province’s young people.

“We want to build a French, egalitarian, secular, prosperous, durable country,” he said.

Singer Marjo, former PQ leader and ex-premier Bernard Landry and historian Marcel Tessier were among the invitees to a show co-hosted by media personality and Peladeau’s wife Julie Snyder and fellow Quebec media personality Annie-Soleil Proteau.

Manon Leriche, a producer and the widow of nationalist director and writer Pierre Falardeau, read a text by her deceased spouse, which was punctuated by applause from the crowd.

PQ MNA Bernard Drainville, who recently withdrew from the race and announced he would support Peladeau, was among the first to speak.

Drainville dubbed Peladeau the driver that was missing from the vehicle that will lead Quebec toward independence.

“Pierre Karl will unite us. Aren’t I living proof of that?” he said.

Starting May 13, PQ members will begin voting on who will officially replace Pauline Marois as leader of their party. Peladeau is up against Martine Ouellet, Alexandre Cloutier and Pierre Cere, who will announce Sunday whether he will stay in the race. Cere has only raised $3,000 of the $10,000 he needs to be on the first ballot.

-- with files from CTV Montreal