Canadian Press reporter Alex Panetta does a nice job sketching out the links between the federal Conservative Party and the Action démocratique du Québec .
[Philippe] Gervais was the Tories' deputy campaign manager in 2006, helped run [ADQ Leader Mario] Dumont's tour in 2003 and served a similar function with [Liberal Party of Quebec leader Jean] Charest in the 1998 provincial campaign.
He says the federal Tories harbour no bias for either of the non-separatist parties.
“I think Mr. Harper has had a very good relationship with the Liberal government, and also has a good one with Mr. Dumont,” he said.
“Is there a preference there? I don't think so. It's more of a hands-off approach and let Quebecers decide what they want to do. I guess the only one they don't want is the PQ.”
This renewed attention comes as Charest begins to focus his attacks on Dumont, rather than PQ leader Andre Boisclair.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest went on the offensive against the Action démocratique du Québec yesterday, calling it a “party of one” and demanding that one of its candidates resign for criticizing pay equity and the annual commemoration for the 14 female victims of the École Polytechnique massacre.
It was the clearest indication so far that the province's two major political parties are worried the traditional third party, which is surging in public opinion polls, could steal critical votes in the March 26 election.