Parti Qubcois majority is within reach, poll suggests

A poll commissioned by the French-language newspaper, le Journal de Montral, suggests theParti Qubcoiswould be within reach of a majority if an election were held today.

The polldone by Lger Marketingfound that 36 per cent of respondents would vote for the PQ.

The PQ currently holds power as a minority government, with 54 seats to the Liberals' 50 seats. The Coalition Avenir Qubec holds 18 seats, while Qubec Solidaire holds two seats and there is one independent MNA.

The poll results suggest the Liberals would continue to sit asthe official opposition, with 33 per cent of respondents saying they would vote for the party.

Lger Marketing's executive vice-president,Christian Bourque, said the PQ is gaining ground in the regions outsideof Montreal and Quebec City, mainly because of the secular charter debate.

"If we look where the charter is mostly popular, it's with francophone voters in those same regions,"Bourque said.

He said the proposed charter, Bill 60,has polarized voters, compellingthosewho are in favour of the legislationto throw their support behind the only party that's promoting it.

• The political play behind the secular charter

At the same time, he said the Quebec Liberal party has lost ground in the past six weeks, which Bourque attributes to Liberal leader PhilippeCouillard'ssilence on the charter issue.

Some have speculated thePQis gearing up for an election, butPremier Pauline Marois continuesto deny any plans for a springelection.

Marois, whois in London to promoteinvestment opportunities, saidthere's still a lot of work to do before Quebecers return to the polls.

"We are focusing on advancing Quebec, on creating jobs. That's my focusfor now," Marois said.