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OTTAWA — The New Democratic Party of Quebec will choose its new leader on Jan. 21, 2018, nine months before the next Quebec election.

The party hopes to elect its first MNAs to the National Assembly in the next general election — which must take place no later than Oct. 1, 2018.

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NDP-Quebec wants to set up regional associations, particularly in Quebec City, Chaudière-Appalaches, Montérégie and Outaouais. Its executive grew from four to 11 members at the general assembly the party held at the end of April.

At that general assembly, NDP-Quebec interim leader Pierre Ducasse announced his withdrawal from the race to give way to a permanent leader. Ducasse, who was Jack Layton’s lieutenant in Quebec, intends to remain in the party’s entourage to help the new leader make his or her breakthrough in Quebec politics.

The party hopes to become an alternative for voters, as both a progressive and federalist party in the province.

The leadership race will start on Sept. 1. The nomination period will end on Oct. 20.