Quebec Liberal Party leadership candidate Philippe Couillard salutes supporters after the results are announced from the first ballot vote at the party's convention Sunday, March 17, 2013 in Montreal. Couillard has been elected by party members on the first ballot. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
March 17, 2013 - 11:55 AM
MONTREAL - The Quebec Liberal party has a new leader _ former cabinet minister Philippe Couillard.
Couillard has been elected by party members on the first ballot at a convention in Montreal today.
The ex-health minister replaces Jean Charest, who stepped down after the Liberals lost power in last September's election.
Jean-Marc Fournier had been interim leader since then.
The 55-year-old Couillard beat out former cabinet ministers Raymond Bachand and Pierre Moreau for the job.
Couillard was health minister between 2003 and 2008.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013