RIVIERE-DU-LOUP, Que. — With an eye on strengthening his electoral fortunes in Quebec in the next election, Prime Minister Stephen Harper portrayed his government on Friday as being open to the province's aspirations.

Harper said his Tories have embraced a style of federalism that gives Quebec more autonomy within the federation.

He mentioned limits on federal spending powers, the recognition of Quebec as a nation within Canada, and the recognition of the existence of a fiscal imbalance as examples of his government's openness to Quebec.

"For over 40 years, Quebecers had to choose between centralization and separation,'' Harper said in a speech to the Riviere-du-Loup Chamber of Commerce northeast of Quebec City.

"They don't want to make that choice any longer, and our government understands that. Quebecers want a strong Quebec within a united Canada.''

The Conservatives currently have 11 of the 75 seats in the province and winning significantly more in the next election would greatly boost their chances of forming a majority government.

To get those Quebec seats, the Conservatives need to attract more support from nationalist-leaning voters who tend to opt for the Bloc Quebecois.

Harper was to meet later with Mario Dumont, the leader of the small-c conservative Action democratique du Quebec, which forms the official Opposition in the national assembly.

Riviere-du-Loup is also Dumont's hometown.