Globe and Mail - Federalism in Quebec: Are they chipping away at the Bloc or at each other?

(Antonia Maioni, Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada): The leaders debate in French brought home the real challenge of this election in Quebec's partisan landscape: namely, what to do about the federalist vote. It seems clear at this point that, for a good chunk of voters, the Bloc is still seen as the most effective voice for Quebec's interests. So far, the election campaign has not put much of a dent in the Bloc's 40-per-cent support, nor the 45 to 50 seats it can expect to win on May 2.