bédard was re-elected in 2003 but the parti québécois lost to the quebec liberal party. he was named the assistant deputy leader of the opposition and after being re-elected for a third term in 2007, he was named the pq's chief whip. after the 2008, he was named the house leader of the opposition while being replaced by pointe-aux-trembles mna nicole léger as chief whip of the pq.