Corruption

Radio-Canada is reporting that CAQ candidate Jacques Duchesneau did not declare all of the money he received when he launched his Nouveau Montreal party in 1998.

Anonymous sources claim he declared $2,500 when he actually raised $50,000.

Duchesneau says it was a festive celebration, not a fundraising activity, and that the allegations are nothing new.

Meanwhile, another one of Francois Legault's "incorruptible" candidates is being criticized for not doing enough to crack down on corruption. That, again, according to Radio-Canada.

Maud Cohen is the ex-president of the Quebec Order of Engineers and that professional body could discipline 11 engineers who may have been involved in illegal political donations.

Language

Pauline Marois would introduce a law banning any candidate from running in an election - municipally or provincially - if they weren't proficient in French.

The PQ leader made the surprising statement at a campaign stop this afternoon in Montreal. The new rule would be part of the PQ's citizenship initiative and would apply both to immigrants and native Quebecers seeking office. 

Candidates would "have to be able to be understood," Marois said, without defining any criteria. "There are no oral or written tests planned."

Seniors

Jean Charest announced plans to boost aid to seniors this morning in Montreal.

Speaking in the backyard of a family home in St. Henri, he said that a Liberal government would give family caregivers an extra $1,000 tax credit annually.

Families who either purchase or renovate an "inter-generational" home would also benefit from a $10,000 interest-free loan, which could be used to make the home more accessible to seniors with disabilities.

The goal, Liberals say, is to reduce costs by providing more services to seniors in their homes rather than at public institutions.