Let's go ahead

The Charest Liberals have been ruling as a minority government since the March 26, 2007 provincial election. The Liberals finished strong in West Island ridings but candidates from the Action démocratique du Québec, and even the Green Party, snatched votes to surge into second- and third- place finishes in the region. However, it was ADQ leader Mario Dumont who stole the show last election, as his party swept into Opposition to the Liberal minority government — Quebec’s first since 1878. One significant change since the election was that longtime Ile Bizard resident Pauline Marois succeeded André Boisclair as the leader of the Parti Québecois after the latter slid to third-party status in the National Assembly. Marois, considered an old-school hardliner, is pushing the PQ's sovereignty agenda but seems unwilling to commit to a referendum at this time. The ADQ's popularity seems to waning, based on recent public opinion polls and Dumont's inability to gain points as Opposition leader. It seems certain the ADQ will drop back to third-party status in the next election, whether it is held this year or next. While Prime Minister Stephen Harper probably believed he was in the driver's seat before calling the Oct. 14 vote, he failed in his campaign to take advantage of Stéphane Dion's questionable Liberal strategies and leadership. Charest must be confident of at least holding onto minority status but probably feels he can take advantage of the ADQ's decline and Marois' uphill battle to reignite the separatist movement as most Quebecers are probably more worried about the economy, taxes and keeping their jobs. If Charest doesn't screw up, he could win a majority government this December, giving him a clear mandate to deal with economic issues. Some voters must wonder if he is up to the challenge or if the current minority government, which needs the backing of either the PQ or ADQ, has been working just fine. If Charest can convincingly explain to voters how and why he can no longer garner the support of the two other parties, he should call an election.