The Liberals are to blame for the weakening of the French language in Montreal, Parti Québécois (PQ) leader Pauline Marois declared in front of Percé Rock this afternoon.

Péquistes are trying to gain a strong Liberal riding in the Gaspé by promising jobs in wind power and other sectors, but it didn't take long for the language debate to come up.

If elected, Marois is promising a new and improved Bill 101, a Quebec constitution and new citizenship initiatives.

A recent report from the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) contradicts Marois' stance on French in Montreal.

It found that 97 per cent of businesses downtown served customers in Quebec’s official language; 93 per cent on the West Island.

photo: Canadian Press