The possibility of a referendum under a PQ government remained front row centre Friday, in spite of PQ leader Pauline Marois’ assurances in Thursday’s debate that "there will be no referendum until Quebecers are ready."

Cracks were evident within the PQ as candidate Linda Goupil said that she did not want a referendum in this term, a sentiment shared my many Quebecers, according to a recent CTV exclusive poll.

Goupil, who is running in the Bellechasse riding, said on a radio interview that she would not have run had she known that there could be a referendum in this mandate.

However other high-profile PQ candidates such as Jean-Francois Lisee and Pierre Karl Peladeau are not considered as patient with a referendum.

Liberal leader Philippe Couillard did not miss his chance to hammer away at the cracks, describing the divergence as “organized confusion” in PQ ranks.

“When I put all of these statements together, Marois in the debate, incapable of saying that there wouldn’t be a referendum, Lisee saying that we need a referendum maybe after not the first year but the one after, Goupil who said that she wouldn’t have run had she known there would be a referendum, while Peladeau said he wouldn’t have gotten into politics had he known there would not be a referendum. That’s total confusion,” said Couillard.

Couillard also challenged Pierre Karl Peladeau’s statement that his media empire would have gone broke had he managed them in the same way that the Liberals manage the Quebec economy.

“I don’t understand how someone who considers himself competent in economics would recommend the separation of Quebec and the disappearance of $9 billion in transfer payments. It seems that he could use a few basic lessons,” said Couillard.

Couillard also took time to announce that he would give more power to municipalities, notable Montreal and Quebec City.

“We need a completely new relationship between Quebec and its cities,” he said.

Marois hounded on referendum

Marois could not escape the onslaught of questions asking her to clarify the possibility of a referendum Friday.

Journalists asked Marois if she was afraid to say there will be a referendum because polls indicate Quebecers don't want one, what would be the minimum criteria required to hold a referendum, why is she talking about the referendum, and so on.

CTV Montreal asked Pauline Marois how exactly would she determine that Quebec was ready for a referendum.

"First we will work to reinforce the economy of Quebec, the confidence of Quebecers, about their institutions, about themselves and when it will be the time I think we will be able to see we are ready to take this decision," said Marois.

She could not or would not offer a timeline as to when a referendum would be.

Meanwhile Peladeau, who was at the news conference along with Bernard Drainville to promote the Charter of Values, was asked about political donations.

He has donated money to the PQ in the past, but he also donated $5,000 to the Liberal Party between 2005 and 2007 when Jean Charest was premier.

Peladeau said his donations did not reflect his political views.

"I always believe in democracy I think this is the strongest thing for this country and political party are a part of democracy so it was no problem to donate to all parties in Quebec," said Peladeau.

He added that he voted 'yes' in the 1980 referendum, which should make his allegiance to the Parti Quebecois clear.