Poll shows CAQ making gains, Liberals still lead

As Quebec voters prepare to elect a new government on Monday, the Quebec Liberal Party is still in the lead, the Parti Qubcois continues its slide and the Coalition Avenir Qubec is making a late comeback, according to a newpoll by Lger Marketing, which could be the last of the campaign.

• Quebec votes 2014

The CAQ are upfrom 19 per centsupport from respondents to two other polls at the end of March and beginning of April.

"What the numbers showthe [CAQ] trending up... They're within reach of keeping more of their seats than we thought maybe a week or two ago. In these conditions, obtaining a majority for the Liberals becomes very complicated," saidChristian Bourque, executive vice president ofLgerMarketing.

In these conditions, obtaining a majority for the Liberals becomes very complicated.- ChristianBourque, executive vice president ofLgerMarketing

This online poll, published today in the Journal de Montral, gives the Liberals 38 per cent support ofvoter intentions, versus 29 per cent for the PQ, 23 per cent to the CAQ (its best score of the campaign) and nine per cent for Qubec solidaire.

• Poll Tracker:Quebec election survey roundup

Today CAQ leaderFranois Legault explains the trend by sayinghebelieves fewer voters feel "stuck" between the Liberals and the PQ.

"What I want is for the trend tocontinue. What we see is that fewer Quebecers feel stuck. What I hope is that those who are still feel a little stuck will be able to make a decision," saidLegault.

PQ down since Marchpolls

The PQ'snumbersareup by one per cent from IPSOS and FORUM polls that were conducted April 1.

However, it is still lower than the previous Lger Marketing poll that was conducted March 21 to 23,which showed 33 per centof respondents supported the PQ.

Among francophones, the PQ remains in first with 35 per cent support, followed by the Liberals with 29 per cent, CAQ with 27 per cent and Qubec solidaire with nine per cent.

"It will come down to local races, and regional gains and losses for each party," saidBourque from Lger. "These numbers areright down that middle road between a majority and minority scenario. It'll be a tight one on Monday."

• Spotlight on: Quebec regional ridings

Asked who would make the best premier, 27 per cent said Philippe Couillard, 24 per cent Franois Legault and 23 per cent Pauline Marois. QS co-spokesperson Franoise David got six per cent support.

The online survey of 1,220 respondents was taken April 2 and 3.

TodayLegaultsaid he believes the situation iseven better for the CAQ nowthan atthe time the survey was conducted.