Parti communiste du Québec (sovereigntist)

Not to be confused with Communist Party of Quebec.
Parti communiste du Québec
Leader André Parizeau
Founded 2005 (2005) (DGEQ)
Dissolved 2012 (2012) (DGEQ)
Still active as an organization
Ideology Quebec sovereigntism
Colours Red
Seats in the National Assembly
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The Parti communiste du Québec (PCQ) is a name of a political organization, and political party from 2005 to 2012, in Quebec which split from the Communist Party of Canada aligned Communist Party of Quebec (PCQ-PCC) in 2005 at a national convention on the question of Quebec independence. However, as of 2012, there is no registered political party with this name.

From 2006 to July 30, 2012, the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec authorized a Quebec political party led by André Parizeau to use the name "Parti communiste du Québec". However, this authorization was withdrawn because the party no longer had one hundred card-carrying members.. Since then this group has left Quebec Solidaire.

The split in the PCQ

The UFP agreed to place the question of Quebec independence as interwined with social or class issues. This was hotly debated as the party transformed into Québec solidaire. The debate moved over into the PCQ as well. These positions were questioned by the Quebec leader of the party, André Parizeau, who formulated a series of amendments in support of immediate independence in 2004 which were rejected by both the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Quebec party (by a vote of 4-2) the by the Central Executive Committee of the Canadian party (by a vote of 7-1).

In January 2005, Parizeau wrote a letter to PCQ members declaring that the party was in crisis and, describing the four NEC members who opposed his amendments as a pro-federalist "Gang of Four", he summarily dismissed them. Although his Quebec nationalist point of view held a majority at the PCQ's convention of April 2005, who was granted voting rights was highly disputed. Parizeau was subsequently expelled by the Party. Around the same time, his group announced their withdrawal from the CPC.

However, after a dispute where both groups presented documentation, the official Directeur général des élections du Québec on April 3, 2006, recognizecd the Parti communiste du Québec led by André Parizeau.

The Central Committee of the party, however, affirmed the authority of the previous Quebec National Executive Committee in June 18–19, 2005. The non-registered CPC-aligned PCQ held a new convention which restarted a communist French-language periodical, Clarté, and later opened an office and small reading room, launched an active website, and re-affiliated with Quebec Solidaire as an organized group. They work closely with the youth and student organization, the "Ligue de la jeunesse communiste du Quebec".

2007 provincial elections

In 2007 the Parti communiste du Québec decided not to run candidates in the provincial election and rather to support those of Quebec Solidaire. It should be specified that, before the split, the PCQ was one of the party-founders of the UFP, interdependent ancestor of Quebec Solidaire.

The pro-nationalist PCQ decided to remain active only in order to prevent another new political formation taking its name. The president of the party, André Parizeau Francis Gagnon-Bergmann member of the Executive committee and Jocelyn Parent, were candidates for Quebec Solidaire in the district of Acadie Blainville and Mirabel.

The original PCQ-PCC also participated in the 2007 elections running three candidates under the banner of Quebec Solidaire, as well as offering its own independent perspective on the election.

2008 provincial elections

Four members of the nationalist PCQ were presented as candidates in elections under the banner of Quebec solidaire ; Francis Gagnon-Bergmann, Leader of the PCQ in Blainville, André Parizeau Spokesman PCQ in Acadie, Sabrina Perreault executive member in Terrebonne and Jean Nicolas Denis in Bellechasse.

2012 provincial elections

The nationalist PCQ lost its certification as the PCQ with the Director of Elections Quebec, and failed to nominate any candidates. It advocated for a united coalition of Quebec Solidaire with the PQ and Option nationale.

The original PCQ-PCC again participated in the 2007 elections under the banner of Quebec Solidaire, focusing on the campaign of one candidate in Acadie (bumping out the leader of the nationalist PCQ). The PCQ-PCC also presented its own independent perspective on the election and the question of voting and the student struggle. (In should be noted that the PCQ-PCC also presented candidates in the 2011 federal election).

2014 provincial elections

No members of the PCQ presented themselves in the provincial elections under the banner of Quebec Solidaire, the nationalist PCQ broke with QS shortly after, following the defeat the Parti Quebecois in the Quebec elections. It advocated for a broad-tent coalition of all nationalist groups moving towards independence. Moreover, it expressed support of Pierre Karl Péladeau in the PQ leadership race.

Current status

On July 17, 2012, the Chief Electoral Officer of Québec stated he wishes to remove the authorization given to the provincial party led by Parizeau, in agreement with the Election Act because of its failure to maintain at least 100 qualified electors as members and who possess a legitimate membership card . The authorization was withdrawn on July 30, 2012.

At a congress in September, the nationalist PCQ led by Parizeau indicated it wished to regain the authorization and was actively recruiting in that direction.

Spokesperson

See also

External links

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