Quebec Premier Jean Charest says he is unable to work with opposition leaders, and reports suggest voters may head to the polls on Dec. 8. His remarks echo similar complaints by Stephen Harper before the recent federal election.
"It was quite clear from statements made by the ADQ and Parti Quebecois that they're not in a mood to co-operate with the government," Charest told reporters Monday.
He said he has struggled to work with the other party leaders to find ways to tackle the province's economic woes.
But opposition party members have discounted the claim. Bernard Drainville, a member of the National Assembly for the PQ, said Charest needs to find common ground to keep Quebec's economy healthy.
"We think the only responsible thing for the this government -- and for this premier -- at this time is not to call an election, but to look for solutions to the crisis," he said.
TVA reported on Monday that Quebecers will be going to the polls before Christmas as Charest tries to portray his minority Liberal government as the only party that can deal with global economic uncertainty.
The legislature standings at this point are:
- Liberals: 48
- Action democratique du Quebec: 39
- Parti Quebecois: 36
- Vacant: 2
The stakes
Under the cloud of an economic crisis, politics in Quebec turned once again to the question of sovereignty on the weekend.
With his l'Action Democratique du Quebec slumping in the polls and with rival parties attempting to poach his MNAs, Mario Dumont was on the defensive during a party meeting that wrapped up Sunday.
Dumont is also dealing with the aftermath of the defections of Andre Riedl and Pierre Michel Auger to the governing Liberals on Thursday.
"We spring forward with a united team and a solid platform," he told supporters.
The ADQ leader said the wake of the current economic crisis would be the ideal time to push for changes in Quebec, including reopening the constitutional debate.
Marois soldiers on
Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois said on Sunday she would do her best to convince Quebecers it was time the province was its own nation.
"We will accomplish the project we've been building for 40 years - that of making Quebec a sovereign nation," she said.
The PQ launched a new platform on Quebec sovereignty on Saturday, reaffirming the importance of protecting Quebec's language and culture and of increasing the province's economic autonomy and international profile.
Bachand's warning
Quebec's minister for economic development says there's nothing worse for the economy than talk of sovereignty and reopening the constitution.
Raymond Bachand accused the leaders of the ADQ and the PQ of not contributing a single concrete idea to help the economy.
But CTV Montreal's John Grant said the opposition parties have indicated that they would work with Charest to help the province weather the current economic storm. However, Grant also said that premiers usually call an election for "only one good reason: because they think they can win."
