PQ better money manager than Liberals: Marois

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 | 3:08 PM ET

CBC News

The idea that Quebec's Liberal party is the best one to manage the province's economy is a myth, Parti Québécois Leader Pauline Marois says.

Past Parti Québécois governments created jobs and fostered prosperity while in power, Marois told the Quebec City Chamber of Commerce at a breakfast meeting Wednesday morning.

Liberal governments, in contrast, squandered Quebec's financial reserves, she told her audience.

Marois is trying to build some momentum for her party as the Quebec election campaign reaches mid-point before the Dec. 8 vote.

Recent polls suggest Jean Charest's Liberal party is enjoying a comfortable lead over the PQ, with official opposition party Action Démocratique du Québec trailing in third place.

ADQ Leader Mario Dumont continued to focus on health care Wednesday, accusing Charest of completely failing to fulfil his government's promise to reduce wait times in hospital emergency rooms and reduce overcrowding.

Dumont's attack followed media reports that nearly one in five children who show up in the emergency room at Montreal's Ste-Justine Hospital never see a doctor.

Charest is campaigning in Quebec City Wednesday, where he will meet with the province's farmers' union.

All parties are gearing up for the leaders' debate next Tuesday, an event that traditionally attracts voters' attention.

Upstart party Québec Solidaire is demanding to be included in the leaders' debate. The left-leaning, sovereigntist-minded party earned about four per cent of the popular vote in the 2007 provincial election.