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.

Voters delivered a "severe judgment" at the ballot box Monday night and the minority government they elected marks a historic shift in Quebec's political environment, but the Liberals are ready to rise to the challenge, Charest said.

Jean Charest and his wife Michèle shown working their way through a crowd of supporters on election night Monday. The premier was re-elected, but the Liberals are now in a minority situation.
(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)

Voters took their antipathy to the polls on Monday and sanctioned Charest and his Liberals, who watched their majority erode by 26 seats. In the end, the Liberals squeaked by the ADQ, garnering 33 per cent of the popular vote, a 13 per cent drop from 2003 — while the ADQ prevailed in an unprecedented 41 ridings, surpassing the Parti Québécois's 36 in the final count.

Charest conceded the outcome reflects deep fissures among the population.

"We are divided at the national assembly, but Quebec has to continue to progress, and the status quo is not acceptable," he said in a press conference in the provincial capital Tuesday afternoon.

'I like this kind of challenge.'—Premier Jean Charest

The premier, who rejected the possibility of a minority outcome right up to the March 26 election, was pragmatic about the result.

"I would have preferred a majority, I won't hide that. But this is a great job, and I'll be working in a very different environment, and that means we'll have to work together."

The strong opposition, with ADQ Leader Mario Dumont controlling the reins, means the Liberals will have to pay closer attention to the population, and build bridges with rival parties, Charest said. The challenge will require "a lot of maturity and a sense of duty," he said.

Gearing up to name cabinet

Charest gave assurances he's ready for the task.

"I intend to meet it head on. I like this kind of challenge. It's tailor made for someone like me."

The premier wouldn't say whether Dumont or PQ Leader André Boisclair will be a closer ally.

"I'm assuming their good faith to make things work."

Dumont is willing to work to ensure stability at the national assembly, and said while he doesn't want another sovereignty referendum, he's not a traditional federalist.

Boisclair, who steered the PQ to its worst election result since 1970, said Tuesday he is staying on as party leader and will keep the sovereignty dream alive.

The Liberal leader will name a cabinet by the end of the week, and estimates the national assembly will resume sitting in May.