The Quebec government is downplaying a special cabinet meeting being held this weekend north of Montreal, amid rumours that Premier Pauline Marois is thinking of calling a fall election.

Parti Québécois government officials are attending a two-day retreat at a luxury hotel in the Lanaudière, and said they do not have time to think about running a campaign.

The PQ special cabinet meeting north of Montreal will run until Saturday afternoon. (CBC)

Though the PQ admits the election calendar will likely be on the agenda this weekend, they insist it won't be anywhere near the top of the list.

“I think it’s good for the cabinet to make a pause to say 'okay, we’ve done a lot of things, where are we on our program, what’s the calendar for the months to come?'" said Jean-François Lisée, the minister responsible for Montreal.

For weeks, both the PQ and the opposition have been accusing each other of pushing for a snap election.

Values charter will be discussed

The charter of Quebec values is the one issue that several cabinet ministers agree will be discussed, and it was enough to bring a handful of protesters to the mountains.

A handful of protesters interrupted the PQ special cabinet meeting to denounce the proposed charter of Quebec values. (CBC )

“We want to send a clear message that we are against the charter. We're against the effects it's already having in Quebec society in terms of making people feel more justified in their racism and their xenophobia,” said Joël Pedneault.

The meeting will continue until Saturday afternoon.