LONGUEUIL, Que. - Bloc Quebecois MP Caroline St-Hilaire says she won't run in the next federal election.

St-Hilaire, who represents the Montreal-area riding of Longueuil-Pierre-Boucher, has been an MP since 1997.

She told a news conference in Longueuil today she is looking forward to new challenges and to spending more time with her children.

St-Hilaire, 38, also said the decision by her partner, Bloc MP Maka Kotto, to run for the Parti Quebecois in an upcoming provincial byelection, also played a role in her own decision.

But St-Hilaire, who has been the Bloc critic in several areas including transport, amateur sport and women's issues, says she has no intention of running for the PQ.