PQ Leader Pauline Marois, ADQ Leader Mario Dumont and Liberal Leader Jean Charest chat before Tuesday night's debate in Quebec City. ((Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)) Liberal Leader Jean Charest fended off his opponents who hammered away at his government's health care and financial record in office in what turned out to be a feisty election debate Tuesday night.

Charest launched the two-hour televised election debate by appealing to Quebecers to trust him during these turbulent economic times.

"The issue of this election campaign is the economy," the Liberal leader stated plainly during his opening remarks. "The question you must ask yourselves on Dec. 8 is who you can trust to handle our economy."

Charest, who called a snap election this fall with the hopes of securing a majority after heading up a 20-month minority government, said the Liberal party is best prepared to handle challenges arising from the global financial crisis.

ADQ Leader Mario Dumont promises to help middle-class Quebecers. ((Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)) Parti Québécois Leader Pauline Marois, appearing in her first leaders' debate, said Quebec needs a "government that takes decisions, and that tells Quebecers the truth."

Voters in the province didn't want an election, she said, accusing Charest of calling an election to avoid coming clean about Quebec's financial health.

"Mr. Charest has a new slogan – Elections Now, the Truth Later," said Marois.

Action Démocratique du Québec Leader Mario Dumont, who drew third place for the debate's opening statements, said middle-class Quebecers need more cash flow, and an ADQ government would help them with that.

Dumont, who is suffering from dismal poll showings in this campaign, played up his recent stint as Opposition leader in Quebec's legislature, saying his team "is readier than ever to work for you."

Both Dumont and Marois pressed Charest on Quebec's pension fund, suggesting it has bled more money than the government is ready to admit.

Leaders clash over health care

Charest and Marois traded barbs about Quebec's health care system, accusing each other of damaging the system while in power.

The Liberal leader said Marois was behind waves of nurse and doctor retirements in the 1990s when she was health minister under PQ premier Lucien Bouchard. Her decision back then precipitated the current staff shortages, Charest said.

Liberal Leader Jean Charest was the main target in Tuesday night's debate. ((Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)) Marois said she'd "never do that again," reminding Charest that when Bouchard and the PQ took power late last decade, "we faced a deficit, and we saved the health care system."

The Liberals, on the other hand, have created a "fiasco" in their efforts to improve the health care system, Marois said.

"You haven't even been able to build a hospital," she quipped, referring to the repeatedly derailed and bloated master plan to build a CHUM mega-health centre in Montreal.

Charest attacked the ADQ's private sector-friendly health-care proposals, accusing Dumont of comparing health care to going to a restaurant when he talks about creating "à la carte" services.

Dumont shot back later, saying, "If I understand correctly, you don't have any solutions," referring to long pediatrician waiting lists.

When a viewer's question about caregiver support was broadcast, Dumont paid subtle tribute to popular Quebec singer-songwriter Chloé Sainte-Marie, who has singlehandedly campaigned on the issue while caring for her ailing partner, filmmaker Gilles Carle.

Polls suggest health care remains a top priority for Quebec voters.

National question loses some fervour

The two-hour French-only debate at the national assembly focused on four separate topics: health, the economy, education and family, and Quebec's future.

PQ Leader Pauline Marois says Quebecers want a government that 'tells the truth.' ((Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)) The new debate format, with leaders sitting around a round table, did not discourage anyone from interrupting or talking over the other. The debate frequently burst into cacophony, which prompted moderator Stéphane Bureau to interject several times in an attempt to restore order.

But when it came to Quebec's perennial core issue – sovereignty – the discussion was more subdued than in any recent election campaign.

Marois and Dumont both indicated their intention to eventually relaunch constitutional talks, while Charest underscored the urgent need to address economic matters instead of sovereignty.

The Liberal government won more powers for Quebec by brokering agreements with the federal government on key issues, including health, Charest said.

Dumont stressed the importance of negotiating a new place for Quebec in the Canadian Constitution, while Marois reiterated the PQ's ultimate goal of achieving sovereignty to improve the province's future prospects.

Québec Solidaire weighs in online

Left-wing party Québec Solidaire failed in efforts to join the leaders' debate, but spokeswoman Françoise David is hosting a simultaneous online forum during Tuesday night's event.

"People will see me in little clips, where I will talk about health, education, family, environment, culture, etc.," David said prior to the debate. "I will also say what I think [about] what the other leaders propose and [comment] on the debate."

Viewers were also invited to chat online about election issues, she said.