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Charter, Pierre Karl Peladeau and controversial candidates hurt the PQ in latest opinion poll

If momentum means anything in politics, Quebec's Liberals should be a little happier today.

A new CROP/La Presse poll, claims that Philippe Couillard's party now sits at 39 per cent support compared to the Parti Quebecois at 36 per cent. The new figures give the Liberals their first lead since the election campaign began almost two weeks ago.

"While the Liberals still trail the PQ when it comes to support from Francophone voters, the PQ support with French speaking electors dropped by ten points compared with last months survey," notes the Montreal Gazette.

"Based on these numbers, pollsters now suspect the outcome of the April 7th election is far from certain.

"PQ support appears to have stalled particularly when it comes to public support for the controversial charter of values. Meanwhile, it appears the arrival of Quebec media magnate Pierre Karl Péladeau has pushed left-wing support to Quebec Solidaire which now stands at 10 per cent in the polls, an increase of three points compared with last month."

[ Related: Canadians outside of Quebec fed-up with sovereignty talk ]

Analysts suggest that Peladeau's entrance into the race as a PQ candidate — last week — and his proclamation that he wanted an independent Quebec hurt his party. The common refrain coming from pundits on the ground is that Quebecers aren't interested in talking about issues regarding identity, sovereignty and constitution — that they want their politicians to discuss health care, jobs and the economy.

[ Related: Trois-Rivieres man arrested for allegedly threatening Marois on YouTube ]

The PQ's dwindling support might also be attributed to some of their controversial candidates.

Last week, their candidate for Lafontaine, Jean Carrière, was forced to resign after a reporter found an old Facebook image of a half-naked woman with text that read "F#$% Islam."

This week, they're dealing with Gouin candidate Louise Mailloux who has in the past, according to the Gazette, described baptism and circumcision as rape and claimed kosher and halal foods fund religious wars.

Mailloux hasn't been forced to resign but is the subject of a petition to oust her.

Premier Pauline Marois tried to defend her Montreal-area candidate on Monday when radio station CJAD 800 suggested that large portions of the Jewish and Muslim communities wouldn't vote for the PQ because of Mailloux's comments.

The Premier responded with this:

"She apologized and I accept that. You know the Parti Québécois. We have a great respect of all the citizens, even if they are Jewish, if they are Muslim, and we will continue in this perspective."

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)

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