Tim Duboyce

Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe was evasive when asked by a reporter to wade into one of the province's most passionate perennial debates: where is the true birthplace of poutine?

Duceppe visited a dairy farm in Warwick, Que., one of three communities that claim to be home to the classic recipe of french fries, cheese curds and gravy. The other two pretenders to the crown for Quebec's most famous contribution to fast food cuisine are nearby Victoriaville and Drummondville.

Duceppe appeared amused but uncomfortable with the question, as a number of farmers from Warwick listened carefully to his answer, which he gave in English.

Who invented poutine?

"Well, the only one I'm sure didn't [invent it] is Vladimir," Duceppe quipped, making a pun on the name of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, whose last name in French is spelled "Poutine."

"Having said that, " Duceppe continued, "Those are all totally different poutines!"

"I'm not an expert on poutine," he said.