Philippe Couillard tours Quebec City, prepares for debate

QUEBEC CITY – With the parties so close in the polls, it may get down to the wire on election night.

Many in Quebec City are now urging the Liberals and the CAQ to join forces to form the next government.

The capital’s notorious talk-radio are calling it the “anything but Pauline” phenomenon.

Liberal leader Philippe Couillard knows this; he came to Quebec City to shore up his base.

Couillard toured the right-leaning CHOI Radio X and 93.3 FM stations. He said he is confident the Liberals will form a majority government on April 7.

But in the event of a PQ minority, UQAM law professor Hugo Cyr told Global News a Liberal-CAQ coalition could ascend to power.

“The lieutenant governor’s job in Quebec is to ensure that the government in place can enjoy the confidence of a majority of MNAs,” Cyr said.

First though, Couillard must get through Thursday’s debate and field growing attacks on his integrity. On Tuesday, PQ leader Pauline Marois revived the controversy around Couillard’s ties with alleged fraudster Arthur Porter.

“I expected that, nobody’s surprised,” said Couillard. “I’m not going to play on that field again but I’m not going to leave the field deserted if they choose to use it.”

The Liberal leader went on to test some his lines, referring to Pierre Karl Péladeau’s rumoured ambition to become president of the Quebec Republic, as reported by The Globe and Mail.

“The army of Quebec, the currency of Quebec, the borders of Quebec, now we have the president of Quebec. It’s all part of the dream and the imaginary world the PQ is trying to keep alive,” said Couillard.