Prime Minister of Quebec Jean Charest speaks at the closing ceremonies of the 12th Francophone Summit on 19 October 2008 in Quebec City. (David Boily/AFP/Getty Images)
Jean Charest got on to his campaign bus in Quebec City after visiting the province's lieutenant governor, whose permission is needed to request dissolution of the provincial legislature. Charest did not tell reporters he was seeking an election.
Charest's Liberals only control a fragile minority of seats in the provincial legislature. He says he needs a strong hand to deal with a financial slowdown that is hurting the predominantly French-speaking province of 7.5 million.
