How much is Pauline Marois worth?

Quebec Liberal leader Philippe Couillard offered-up a provocative challenge on Tuesday.

He said that he would make public his 2012 tax return and a listing of all his and spouse's assets prior to Thursday's televised leaders' debate.

He challenged Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois to do the same.

"I'm only showing my standards for transparency and asking them to do the same," he said, according to the Montreal Gazette.

"They talk a lot about transparency and integrity, a lot of talk. As I said in French, 'salire pour se faire elire' (smear to get elected) — that's their new motto. So let's see how they follow up on their own talk."

In response, Marois said, that she has already — privately — submitted a listing of her and her husband's assets to the province's ethics commissioner.

[ Related: Quebec Liberals hovering in majority territory ahead of election, poll shows ]

It's clear to most that Couillard is goading Marois in an attempt to generate discussion about Marois' husband — businessman Claude Blanchet — a man of considerable wealth. (We don't know exactly how much wealth but the couple did recently list their 12,000 square foot manor for sale for $6 million).

The multi-millionaire's name has also been mentioned at the Charbonneau Commission. According to CTV News, a wire-tap recording was recently played at the corruption inquiry which captured a Quebec Federation of Labour official saying they had a "deal with Blanchet."

[ Related: Did the Parti Quebecois jump the shark? ]

Despite the political gamesmanship, the issue raises an interesting question: Do voters have the right to know how much their politicians are worth prior to an election?

Do you — as a voter — want to know? And if yes, would it affect the way you do vote?

"I am not fighting wealth. I am fighting poverty. If people have succeeded financially, all the better. Excellent. Bravo for them. But people have the right to know who is the person before us, and that includes their financial situation and that of their spouse," Couillard said on Tuesday, according to the National Post.

Do you — as a voter — want to know how much the candidates, with their spouses, are worth? And if yes, would it affect the way you vote?

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

(Photo courtesy The Canadian Press)

Are you a politics junkie?
Follow @politicalpoints on Twitter!