Six days to go before the official start of Quebec's next general election campaign and the Coalition Avenir Québec (C-A-Q) still leads voter intentions, but the latest Léger poll for the "Journal de Montreal" also points to a very volatile electorate.
The C-A-Q has the support of 36% of decided voters, the Liberal Party of Quebec is six points back at 30%, whlie 18% goes to the Parti Québécois and 10% for Québec solidaire.
With a comfortable lead among Francophones the C-A-Q has a shot at a majority government, but 45% of those who answered the online survey say their choice is not final, which puts even more importance on the campaign.
The four main political party leaders got together Friday evening at Concordia University for a pre-campaign “dialogue” with Quebec youth related to their issues. The event drew a crowd of roughly 700 young people and was billed as non-confrontational, despite the fact the campaign is less than a week away.
CJAD 800 political analyst Tom Mulcair spoke with CTV at Concordia discussion involving 4 Quebec party leaders Friday evening
"Young people have moved away from the old fights about sovereignty," said Mulcair. "They're worried about the planet, they're worried about the enviroment. They are themselves very open and diverse and inclusive."
But C-A-Q leader François Legault put forward at least one idea that is already divding people - imposing a French test on newcomers to the province as a tactic to "protect French."
"We will offer them free lessons and we will give them three years to succeed," said Legault. "I think it's fair. It's reasonable. I don't see why people would fail a French test after three years."
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard pounced on the statement suggesting it is an attempt to divide Quebecers.
"Obviously it's a very important proposal for him. Of course, we doin't agree at all," said Couillard. "I think immigration should be looked at positively, not as a threat."
The Concordia event was co-sponsored by the independent Institut du nouveau monde and Le Devoir.
* The Léger survey was conducted online from August 10th to 14th with 2,488 respondents. With files from CTV Montreal.