Jean Charest and Mario Dumont rarely leave 'em rolling in the aisles with their witty repartee, but Parti Québécois Leader André Boisclair says his two main rivals in the Quebec election campaign are the Laurel and Hardy of Quebec federalists.
Dumont is a "merchant of dreams" selling the ADQ illusion of Quebec autonomy within Canada while Charest, the Liberal premier, doesn't even try to get more power for the Quebec, according to Boisclair.
"I feel like they're playing a Laurel and Hardy film on federalism, with one who is selling his illusions while the other doesn't want to move anymore," Boisclair said during an appearance with union leaders.
Boisclair made the comparison Sunday while campaigning in the Montreal area with labour leader Henri Masse, one day after his Quebec Federation of Labour voted to endorse the PQ.
Dumont's position on Quebec independence became an issue on the weekend after opinion polls showed his Action Démocratique du Québec closing in on the PQ and putting pressure on Charest's Liberals in key regions.
Charest has hammered away on the question of national unity since the campaign began. He has warned Boisclair would call a referendum nobody wants if the PQ wins, while accusing Dumont of being vague on the question.
Dumont campaigned in favour of Quebec independence in 1995. Since the referendum, he has often avoided taking a clear position, pronouncing the issue dead.
Lately, Dumont has declared himself in favour of Quebec autonomy within Canada, without offering details on what that would mean.
Favourite theme
Charest hit his favourite theme again Sunday, warning supporters in the Saguenay region that a PQ government would plunge Quebec back into division and uncertainty.
The former PQ stronghold northeast of Quebec City is expected to be a major battleground in the March 26 vote.
Charest dismissed the labour federation's endorsement of the PQ. The Quebec labour movement has a long history of alliance with the PQ.
"I'm not at all surprised that [the QFL] gives its support to the PQ," Charest said. "I know one thing, I wasn't waiting for Henri Masse to support me. There's no surprise there. That gives you some idea of our expectations.
"Quebecers will sort out what it means."
Charest has angered unions throughout his first mandate, imposing a wage settlement on civil servants, streamlining the number of bargaining units in health care, extending supermarket hours and other reforms.
Dumont was in his hometown of Rivière-du-Loup, where more than 1,000 supporters turned out for a rally Sunday. He was close behind Boisclair in a couple recent opinion polls, but he resolutely turned his rhetorical guns on Charest, all but ignoring Boisclair.
He accused Charest of playing with numbers and distracting Quebecers with talk of national unity that doesn't interest them now.
"Quebecers have the right to expect a premier who respects his words, they have the right to not to be told lies right to their faces," Dumont said.
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| Party | Elected | Leading | Total | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIB | 48 | 0 | 48 | 33.08% |
| ADQ | 41 | 0 | 41 | 30.80% |
| PQ | 36 | 0 | 36 | 28.32% |
| QS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.65% |
| GRN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.89% |
| OTH | 0 | 0 | 0 | .26% |
| Last Update:March 27, 12:52:21 AM EDT | ||||
Quebec Votes 2007 Headlines »
- Que. Liberals take minority win with grain of salt
- Quebec Premier Jean Charest said he'll build bridges with the Parti Québécois and the Action Démocratique du Québec to ensure a stable minority government.
- Dumont will work with Quebec Premier Charest
- Quebec's new Opposition Leader Mario Dumont said he wants stability at the national assembly and pledged to work with the Liberal minority government on a case-by-case basis.
- Boisclair remains at helm after PQ finishes 3rd
- André Boisclair is staying on as leader of the Parti Québécois and vowed to help rebuild the fractured party after it suffered major losses in Monday's provincial election.
- Quebec election result 'good news' for Canada: PM
- Stephen Harper says voters in the Quebec election have used their ballots to reject calls for another referendum in a "great result" for Canada.
- Charest keeps seat as Liberals cling to power in Quebec
- Quebecers are waking up to a minority Liberal government — the first minority in the province in 130 years — and a new official Opposition.