ADQ won't form coalition if election serves up minority

ADQ Leader Mario Dumont said he's not ready to team up with any of Quebec's political parties if the March 26 election produces a minority government.

A Lger Marketing poll conducted this week suggests the Liberals are enjoying a slight lead in popular support, with the Parti Qubcois and Action Dmocratique du Qubec neck and neck up a few points behind.

The three-way race has fuelled speculation about a possible minority government in Quebec, where voters have never elected one before.

But Dumont said he would not join forceswith another party to upset a minority winner.

"A coalition between the second and third [party], I'll never go there," he told the CBC in French during a campaign stop Friday in Laval.

Dumont said he's focusing on gaining more ground in ridings where his party has enjoyed a surge in the campaign.

"In this whole area around Montreal, there will be very interesting races. And we're part of it. But there's still a lot of work to do, to make it [into] seats."

PQ Leader Andr Boisclair said whether it is a minority or not, his government would forge ahead with plans for another sovereignty referendum.

"I feel the victory, I see it on the ground, I see more and more supporters helping us on the ground," he said while touring a school in the Gasp.

Liberal Leader Jean Charest is not willing to discuss poll trends or muse on the possibility of a minority win on March 26.

"I don't comment on polls," he said in Rimouski. "We will form a majority government."