Couillard says his government 'took care of business,' predicts Liberal majority in October election

Premier Philippe Couillardsayshis government has made good on its promise to "take care of business" in its first four-year mandate, predicting Quebec voters would deliver him a second majority governmentin the fall election.

At a Friday morning outdoor news conference, backed up by all the members of the Liberal caucus, whoburst into applause on his projection of a new Liberal win, Couillardnever mentionedFranois Legault.

Legault's Coalition Avenir Qubechas been leading the Liberals in successivepolls.

Asked by reporters why he did not mentionLegault,whenhours earlier his partyissued a news release questioning the CAQleader'scredibility, the Liberal leader grewtesty.

"Everything he [Legault]predicted we could not do, we did," he said.

"We balanced the budget, we reduced taxes, we created jobs."

"I did exactly what I said I would do,"Couillardsaid.

The premier also defendedhis government's decision to invest in Bombardier Inc.'s C Series passenger jet and in favour of supply management, ensuring stable incomes for Quebec's dairy farmers.

Couillardnamed U.S. President Donald Trump as a source of "economic instability at our doorstep."

"The decisions of Donald Trump are as much a threat for the economic stability of Quebec as for our workers, ourbusinesses and our agriculture,"Couillardsaid.

"We will certainly defend them with strength and determination."

The businessman vs. the doctor

At his news conference, Legaultcriticized Couillard'seconomic record, asking why Quebec is dependent on $11 billion a year in federal equalization payments if the province is doing so well.

"Ask yourself the question," Legaultsaid."Would you prefer a premier who is a doctor or a premierwho is a businessman?"

The CAQleader said Couillardgave Quebec's doctors an extra $1 billion in salary and byinvesting in Bombardier's C Series, rather that in Bombardier shares, the value of that $1.3 billion now is about half the original amount.

"I humbly submit that I am a better negotiator than Philippe Couillard," he said, adding that Couillard wants to mount a fear campaign against the CAQ.

He promised English-speaking Quebecershe would "never, never hold a referendum on sovereignty" and rejected suggestions he is a businessman like Donald Trump.

"If I was an American I would have voted for Hillary Clinton," Legaultsaid.

"Philippe Couillard will offer fear. Wewill offer hope."

The underdog

Askedwhat he thought about the fact neither Legaultnor Couillardmentioned him in their end-of-session roundups, Parti QubcoisLeader Jean-FranoisLise said, "I love being the underdog."

Lisesaid a PQ government would not be "the first third-place team to win the cup."

He said voters will return to the PQ because his is a party of "straight shooters."

"We think we should put people first," he added, accusing the Liberals and CAQof talking about cutting spending while investing more for daycare and schools.

Lise said Legaultwanted to be PQ leader and after two failed leadership bids,founded his own party.

PQ voters who are thinking of voting for Legaultshould take note of his claims to be a proud Canadian, Lisesaid, adding that Legault is"insincere."

And Lisesuggested there is an interchangeabilitybetween the Liberals and the CAQ. Liberal ministers Gatan Barrette and Dominique Anglade are former CAQcandidates, while CAQrecruitsGenevive Guilbaultand Marguerite Blaisareformer Liberals.

Montreal leader in job creation

At his news conference Couillard mentioned a newspaper story Friday suggestingthat in 2017, Montrealhad the best job creation record of any major North American urban centre.

"The economy is doing better and that is important because when the economy is doing well, everything is possible," he said. His Liberals offered Quebecers"a new Quebec that is prosperous and confident."

But he did warn of the looming challenge of a manpower shortage, particularly in Quebec's regions, which could also threaten existing jobs.

"We will not have enough workers unless we act urgently on this," Couillardsaid, in an apparent challenge to Legault's commitment to reduce immigration.

"The answer cannot be closing our borders," he said. "The answer cannot be rejecting others.

"That would mean a return to unemployment, a return to the deficit, a return to negative growth."

Campaigning in 2014, Couillardpromised his would be the most open andtransparentgovernment Quebecershad known.

Critics say he has not delivered on that commitment but Couillard insisted, saying his government didpresentnew legislation of access to information.

When reporters pointed out that bill was not adopted, Couillardsaid that was another reason why he needed a new mandate.

Oct. 1 will be Quebec's first fixed-date election.Closeto 20 Liberal ministers and backbencherswill not be running again.