Our history
Where did Québec solidaire come from?
Québec solidaire is the result of a merger that took place between the Union des forces progressistes party and the Option citoyenne political movement. Founded in 2002, the UFP was the culmination of a merger process that took place between Rassemblement pour une alternative progressiste, the Socialist Democratic Party, and the Communist Party of Québec. During the 2003 election, the UFP ran 75 candidates in Québec and won 1.5% of votes, overall. In some ridings, results varied between 5% and 7%, with particularly encouraging results in the Mercier riding of Montréal, where 18% of electors voted UFP. As the ranks of the UFP continued to grow, the party’s platform expanded to include issues such as health care, taxation, education, and the fight against poverty.
In May 2004, the Option citoyenne movement was launched. This political movement brought together approximately 100 people at its foundation, with a predominantly female membership. After touring Québec in the summer of 2004, Option citoyenne’s membership mushroomed, and its first Québec-wide meeting was held in November 2004. This meeting, to be followed by two more, established Option citoyenne’s political orientations about issues that included feminism, globalization, the economy, sovereignty, and relations with Aboriginal peoples. From its inception, Option citoyenne expressed its interest in discussing a possible merger with the UFP.
In December 2004, meetings and negotiations about the merger of the two groups began, and continued throughout 2005. By the fall of 2005, each political entity had decided at their respective conventions to ratify the merger. The historic convention of 1,000 activists that was to follow marked the foundation of Québec solidaire. Held on February 3, 4, and 5 at Université de Montréal, this merger of two political traditions was hailed as a resounding success by all.
A few months later, at a policy convention, held on November 26 and 27, 2006, Québec solidaire adopted its political platform. The tenets of this democratically ratified platform drew their inspiration from positions taken by the two former political entities, and from the Women’s Global Charter for Humanity, which collectively called on governments to adopt policies to promote equality, environmental integrity, civil liberties, solidarity, justice, and peace. Attending QS members from a variety of backgrounds throughout Québec took the floor sharing their specialized and wide-ranging expertise, proposing socially balanced inspired party policies. The result was a Québec solidaire Platform that reflected the deeply held convictions and bold democratic initiatives of its membership.
The tradition of broad-based involvement established by Québec solidaire’s members continues to this day. Our alternative approach to political activism, social change adapted to family-positive lifestyles, and responsible governance for a healthier living environment continues to inspire and attract new members. As our membership continues to flourish, our simple message for all Québecers remains the same: Stand up and make your voice heard.
Make your vote count. Make people count. Vote Québec solidaire.