QUEBEC – Quebec cabinet ministers are downplaying talk of a provincial election.

At least three ministers questioned by reporters today shrugged off the need for an election — this as their government is rumoured to be considering one.

The Parti Quebecois cabinet is set to meet for a two-day retreat where it’s expected to map out its political strategy.

At the legislature today, however, several ministers sounded less than desperate to hit the campaign trail.

Francois Gendron said the public doesn’t want an election. Agnes Maltais said she’s not in an electoral frame of mind. And Jean-Francois Lisee said the PQ’s not in a hurry to hit the hustings.

The PQ was elected just over a year ago with a minority but has recently been coy about whether it might follow the example of Stephen Harper, who ended his own minority government in 2008 in the hope of being elected with a majority.

With observers speculating about a possible call for Dec. 9, the PQ’s opponents accuse it of preparing to use identity politics to distract from a lacklustre economy.

Polls suggest the PQ’s controversial values charter is relatively popular and, although the party trails the Liberals and has a high dissatisfaction rating, it also holds a sizeable lead among the crucial francophone electorate.