Quebec Premier Pauline Marois launches appeal to opposition over upcoming budget

SHERBROOKE, Que. – Quebec Premier Pauline Marois is calling on opposition parties to ensure the survival of her Parti Quebecois minority government.

Marois says the opposition parties must act responsibly to avoid triggering an election less than three months after the last provincial election.

She says they should be thinking about the province’s financial future rather than the next election.

Marois made the comments today at a party meeting in Sherbrooke, Que.

The PQ is facing its first major test with a budget scheduled for November 20.

The party’s two chief rivals — the Liberals and the fledgling Coalition for Quebec’s future — have threatened to vote it down.