QUEBEC - Parti Quebecois Leader Andre Boisclair lashed out at Jean Charest's credibility on Monday, saying the premier's imminent election budget will be based on phantom numbers.
Boisclair said Tuesday's budget, which comes a day before Charest is expected to call a March 26 election, will be incomplete because the premier doesn't seem to know how much the province will get from Ottawa this year.
"Mr. Charest has not been able to produce any document or any agreement, and signed agreement, with the federal government that could really give a clear indication about the revenues of the government for the next budgetary period,'' Boisclair said in Quebec City.
"Obviously, Mr. Charest will use this budget to try to convince Quebecers that he's the best to govern Quebec.
"But the fact is it's almost irresponsible for Mr. Charest to table a budget when he doesn't even know what kind of agreement he will have from the federal government.''
Boisclair also dismissed as a "clear lie'' Charest's comment that he would invest $1 billion in post-secondary education over five years while adding $100 million to government coffers by raising tuition fees over the same period.
"This is a false argument and Mr. Charest knows it very well. Why? Because of the $1 billion he has announced, more than $800 million will go to finance costs that have nothing to do with the development of new services.
"Out of the $1 billion, there's only $200 million of fresh money. And out of this $200 million, about $120 million will go to universities.
"He cannot say to students in Quebec that for each $1 he will get in the pockets of Quebecers, he will reinvest $10. That is a clear lie.''
Charest's announcement he will lift the freeze on tuition fees has not gone down well among students in Quebec, where post-secondary costs are the cheapest in the country.
They say the increase of $100 a year over the five years will lead to more student debt and poverty.
Boisclair, whose party tends to attract more of the student vote than the Liberals, is opposed to lifting the freeze.
The PQ leader was also asked whether Quebecers can get ready to see former premier Jacques Parizeau play an active role in the campaign.
"Of course he will be participating,'' Boisclair said. "I'm sure he will be particularly very present in the Cremazie riding (where Parizeau's spouse, Lisette Lapointe, will run for the PQ). He knows very well he is welcome to make any contributions to the campaign.
"I feel I'll need the support of all sovereigntists and Mr. Parizeau is one of the great sovereigntists... I would be very proud to have him next to me during this electoral campaign.''
The PQ will adopt its election platform this Saturday in Laval, Que.
