TORONTO (Standard&Poor's) March 28, 2007--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today said that the results of Quebec's (A+/Stable/A-1+) March 26 provincial election may imply increasing pressure on Canada (AAA/Stable/A-1+) to boost transfer payments and accept more provincial autonomy. Election results reduced Quebec's incumbent Liberal government to a plurality, with substantial power held by the Action Democratique du Quebec (ADQ). The traditional voice of Quebec separatism, the Parti Quebecois, was reduced to third place (for more detail see "Quebec Election Delivers Blow to Political Order, But Credit Quality Holds Fast" published March 27, 2007, on RatingsDirect). The ADQ's platform calls for Quebec to work for more provincial autonomy, while remaining within the Canadian confederation, and the minority position of all
