As Quebec Solidaire celebrates its tenth year of existence, the party faithful gathered at its annual convention on Saturday to discuss how far the party has come, and how much farther it has to go.
“I am very honest, 10 years ago I thought we would have more than three members of parliament,” said QS MNA Francoise David. “People tell me they like us, they appreciate what we do, but they are not sure we can form a government.”
That reluctance from voters has led party members to discuss how Quebec Solidaire can better connect with Quebecers from all over the province, including Anglophones. The party insists it will protect English institutions, but the sovereignist party is aware it has a challenge ahead if it wants to woo federalists.
“If you want left-wing measures, if you want good public services, if you want more justice, you have to vote for us,” said David.
Among other policies discussed at the convention were workers’ rights, environmental issues and the redistribution of wealth. MNA Manon Masse said the goal is to reform an economic system that’s designed around big business.
“For us, the economy has to be to the benefit of the people,” she said.
As for a merger with their fellow sovereignists in the Parti Quebecois, David said mutual support for that cause is not enough when there are many other policy differences between them.
“We won’t agree just to be popular with some people so we are far from this kind of convergence,” said David.
