Conservatives in heated battle to preserve Quebec City seats

The NDP surge in Quebec isn’t threatening just the Bloc Québécois. The Conservative stronghold of Quebec City could also fall victim to Jack Layton’s party by the time Monday’s votes are counted. According to a CROP poll conducted between April 25 and 27 for local daily Le Soleil, the NDP is currently first in voting intentions in the provincial capital, putting particular strain on the campaigns of three Tory incumbents: Josée Verner, Sylvie Boucher, and Daniel Petit. Gilles Duceppe, Michael Ignatieff, and Stephen Harper all made a point of visiting the politically volatile region in the waning days of the campaign, highlighting its strategic importance to all the federal parties.

Ottawa Citizen