The major policies and actions of the Coalition avenir Quebec (CAQ) government have a direct impact on the working class, women, young people, students, Indigenous first nations, and immigrants. The bourgeois consensus in favour of austerity is shared by the four largest parties, which criticize Donald Trump whilst giving Prime Minister Mark Carney a free hand.
Québec solidaire emerged in 2006, following a fusion between the UFP (Union des forces progressistes) and Option citoyenne (later joined by Option nationale). This represented a break with the Parti Québécois and the capitalist establishment.
Initially, the party was committed to Socialism, Quebec independence, cultural pluralism, feminism and Eco-socialism.
At the time, QS defined itself as a party of popular and grassroots struggles, rather than merely an electoral formation.
Subsequently, anti-capitalism gave way to left-wing populism and a more moderate vision of sovereignty within the economic system of domination. Internal democracy within QS was curtailed in favour of centralized leadership.
What Quebec needs is a revolutionary workers’ party that fights day in, and day out for Quebec’s independence and socialism, in the streets, neighbourhoods, workplaces and schools.
Presently, QS is the only left-leaning party capable of electing MPs and maintaining a presence in the National Assembly as well as in the mainstream media.
QS allows for the formation of collectives and internal caucuses to engage in debate. A well-organized platform for the socialist left could push QS to shift further to the left — towards an anti-capitalist, environmentalist, feminist and anti-colonial identity — or give rise to a new radical left-wing party committed to abolishing the billionaire class and to overturning the austerity policies that workers and labour unions have endured for decades.
Why vote for QS on 5 October? Because it is important to advance (without illusions) the struggle for:
Housing — not drones, fighter jets or attack submarines;
Quebec’s withdrawal from NATO and Norad;
An immediate end to the supply of arms and ammunition to the Zionist state;
To strive for the vision that “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free!”
Free education at every level;
Decent, affordable housing for all. It is a right, not a commodity beyond reach;
Steep taxation of corporations and the wealthiest;
Restitution before reconciliation with Indigenous peoples;
Public ownership of major industries and banks, under workers’ control.
On October 5, vote for Quebec solidaire, or for candidates of the more leftist Parti Verte. On October 6, let’s roll up our sleeves to build a socialist working class party that embodies the needs and aspirations of the people of Quebec!
Ligue pour l’Action socialiste / Socialist Action – dans l’etat Canadienne
website: http://www.socialistaction.ca