Paul Hunter

Stephen Harper's final dash across the country in the run-up to Tuesday's vote takes him to Quebec this weekend where his standing in public opinion polls has lately taken a hit.

CBC Radio's Susan Lunn asked him today how he plans to reverse his recent slide in that province.

His answer? That in the end, his party's economic policies ought to win the day, banking on Quebecers being pragmatic enough to recognize that, adding that the Bloc's campaign is based on emotional appeal — largely because it has so little to offer on economic policy. (The Bloc has lately taken to describing Harper as a sell-out to the oil industry.)

Here's the last part of Harper's answer, word for word:

“The Bloc has nothing to offer Quebecers at a moment where their jobs, their earnings and their economic future will all be challenged in the next few years.

“I think we’ve got a strong point to make, I’m going to continue to make it. And I’m confident that Quebecers will listen.

“I’m confident that the attempt by the Bloc to demonize me really belittles the intelligence of Quebecers.

“And, Quebecers understand that just because someone’s from Alberta doesn’t mean he’s a ‘petroliere.’ Just because someone’s a Conservative doesn’t mean he’s George Bush. Just because someone — once again — is from Alberta doesn’t mean he’s an oil man any more than just because someone from Quebec is automatically a producer of maple syrup. This is just silly.

"I think Quebecers are more tolerant than that and will take a pragmatic look at their options."

— Paul Hunter