Union des forces progressistes (Quebec)

The Union des forces progressistes (UFP) was a left-wing political party in Quebec, Canada from 2002–2006.

Union des forces progressistes
LeaderLeading council
PresidentFrançois Cyr
FoundedJune 2002
Dissolved4 February 2006
Merger ofRAP
PDS
PCQ
Merged intoQuébec solidaire
Headquarters2177 Masson Street
Suite 412
Montreal, Quebec
H2H 1B4
IdeologyQuebec sovereignism
Democratic socialism
Alter-globalization
Political positionLeft-wing
ColoursGreen, Orange & Red
Website
ufp.qc.ca

History

The Union des Forces Progressistes (UFP) was formed in 2002 out of desire to unite Québec's leftists into a political party.[1] Four parties merged to form the Union:

On 5 November 2005, delegates of the UFP voted unanimously in favour of a merger with the party of the Option citoyenne movement led by Françoise David. The founding congress of the new party was held on 4 February 2006 and resulted in the formation of a new party, Québec solidaire.

Principles and aims

The aim of the UFP was to bring together progressive forces across the broad left wing of the political spectrum, including social democrats, socialists and communists. The UFP also advocated altermondialism, feminism, pacifism and green politics. Its platform did not specifically endorse social democracy, socialism, or communism.

The Green Party of Quebec pledged to try to avoid running candidates in ridings where there was a UFP candidate, although it reserved the right to run anywhere it wants to (even ridings with a UFP candidate), and did not merge with the UFP.

The UFP presented itself as an alternative to the main three parties in Québec: the centre-left Parti Québécois, the centre-right Quebec Liberal Party, and the conservative Action démocratique du Québec/Equipe Mario Dumont, saying that all three are but different faces of the same right-wing ideology called neoliberalism.

The UFP opposed globalization, privatization, and deregulation, and called for increased funding of social services, higher taxes on the rich and business, proportional representation in the National Assembly of Quebec, and an alternative economy based upon co-operatives and nonprofit organizations.

The UFP supported Québec sovereignty. It considered this option not as an end in itself, but rather as a means to achieve the party's social ideal for the people of Québec. To solve the national question, the UFP suggested the creation of a Constituent Assembly, mandated to draw up and propose to the population, via referendum, a Constitution for a progressive, republican, secular, and democratic Québec.

The UFP was led by a council instead of a single leader. The UFP promised to be a party of the ballot box and of the streets, meaning that it would work to increase awareness of social problems and for progressive social change even between elections, particularly with regards to the rights of workers and of the unemployed.

Considering its modest results in the 2003 elections (1.06% of the votes or 1.50% if the Green Party of Québec's votes were included), the UFP was a marginal party.

UFP position on the national question

From the Preamble of the UFP political platform, Building a world that reflects our ideals! :

UFP members share the view that the answer to the national question, and by extension social emancipation, is sovereignty for the Quebec people. The UFP believes that Quebec should become a country, free from the federalist yoke, and should acquire the essential tools it needs to develop as a nation.

UFP Representatives
  • Pierre Dostie and Molly Alexander (2002–2004)
  • Amir Khadir and Denise Veilleux (2004–2006)

Election results
General election # of candidates # of elected candidates % of popular vote
2003 73 0 1.06%
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See also

References
  1. David, Françoise (2011). De colère et d’espoir. Montréal: Éditions Écosociété. p. 83.
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