Quebec’s new left

A new party is about to jump onto the Quebec political scene, although most its members have been involved in politics for a long time. The Union des forces progressistes (UFP) is an amalgamation of three of the province’s hard left parties, combining the Rassemblement pour l’alternative progressiste (RAP), the Democratic Socialist Party (PDS) and the Quebec commies, the PCQ. It remains to be determined what the legal situation for the PCQ will be, though, as they hope to keep their links with the Communist Party of Canada.

“Two parties [RAP and the PDS] will dissolve with the founding of the new party,” says Paul Cliche, spokesperson for the UFP, “but we know the PCQ will be marching along with us.”

The UFP was born out of the realization that a fragmented left wasn’t getting anywhere in the polls, and that to enjoy any electoral success, having one unified party for the left was the way to do it. “A condition for success we identified was to not go against each other [during elections],” says Cliche. “This is a more serious option, and it’s done out of a question of unity.”

Cliche says the party is ideologically united on 45 main points, and will iron out any remaining differences at their founding congress this weekend. It’s open to the public and will take place at the Centre St-Pierre, 1205 de la Visitation, starting at 8:30 Saturday morning and running through to Sunday evening. Cost of entry is $10, $5 for students and the unemployed.

- Patrick Lejtenyi