QUEBEC - Premier Jean Charest expressed satisfaction Thursday with the performance of his minority government as the legislature wrapped up for the summer.
"We got our budget through, we got our tax reductions through, we got the elimination of the capital tax done,'' Charest told a news conference.
The premier also cited his government's gun-control legislation and efforts to get junk food out of schools.
The national assembly reconvened with a new look this spring after the March provincial election left Charest's Liberals with 48 seats out of 125, the Action democratique du Quebec with 41 and the Parti Quebecois with 36.
At one point, the Liberal government appeared headed for defeat over its budget but Charest placated the PQ by finding additional funds for health care and education.
Charest's harshest words Thursday were directed at ADQ Leader Mario Dumont as he accused him of acting against the best interests of Quebecers in several cases in recent months.
Charest's leadership has been questioned by some observers but the Liberal leader said he doesn't intend to resign.
"On March 26, Quebecers chose to re-elect my government and to re-elect me. I'm not going to start questioning their judgment.''
Dumont, meanwhile, had a different take on the last few months, saying the Liberals were actually inspired by much of the ADQ's platform.
"We're all supposed to embrace modesty but in politics it's hard to hide your achievements in the back of the closet,'' Dumont said.
He also said the ADQ has no intention of bringing down the Liberals when the legislature resumes sitting in the fall.
Meanwhile, Francois Gendron, who took over as PQ interim leader following Andre Boisclair's post-election resignation, said the party was happy with its performance.
"I have a lot to say about the caucus's satisfaction at getting the government to change its budget without bringing it (the government) down,'' Gendron said.
The PQ will have a different look when the legislature reconvenes. Pauline Marois will likely be acclaimed leader next week, although she probably won't have a seat in the national assembly by fall.
