July 31, 2012 - 5:56 PM
OTTAWA - Only a few federal politicians are planning to get involved in the upcoming Quebec election campaign — and Justin Trudeau is among them.
The high-profile Liberal is prepared to help out his provincial counterpart in the urban Montreal riding of Papineau.
A spokesman says the son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau is willing to appear at public events with provincial Liberal Gerry Sklavounos if he's asked.
As for other federal politicians, most are claiming neutrality.
The NDP, which holds most federal seats in the province, says it's going to concentrate on its duties as the Opposition. The Conservatives, who have few seats in Quebec, say they don't plan to interfere.
One of Trudeau's colleagues, Marc Garneau, who is also a potential Liberal leadership candidate, says he's not getting involved.
But the Bloc Quebecois makes no bones about its allegiance: Bloc Leader Daniel Paille says his troops will help out the pro-independence Parti Quebecois.
The party's machine isn't quite the force it once was, though, since the Bloc only elected four MPs in the last federal election.
Premier Jean Charest is expected to call the election tomorrow for Sept. 4.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012