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The Union des forces progressistes (UFP) is a left wing political party in Quebec, Canada. Three leftist parties merged to form the UFP in 2002 out of desire to unite Quebec's left: the Rassemblement pour l'alternative progressiste (RAP), the Parti de la démocratie socialisteThe Parti de la Democratie Socialiste (PDS) (in english: Democratic Socialist Party was founded in 1963 as the Quebec branch of the New Democratic Party of Canada. It was the successor to the Parti social-democratique, the Quebec counterpart of the Cooper (PDS, formerly the Quebec wing of the New Democratic PartyThis page is about the Canadian political party. For other parties, see New Democratic Party (disambiguation). New Democratic Party Current Leader Jack Layton Founded June 17, 1961 Headquarters 300 279 Laurier Avenue West Ottawa, OntarioK1P 5J9 Colours Or), and the Parti communiste du QuébecThe Parti communiste du Quebec or PCQ (in english: Communist Party of Quebec is a communist political party in Quebec. The PCQ is the Quebec branch of the Communist Party of Canada, which was founded in 1921. It has run candidates in Quebec general electi (PCQ). Quebec's Green Party, the Parti vert du QuébecThe Parti vert du Quebec or PVQ (in English: Green Party of Quebec is a Quebec political party whose platform is the promotion of green values. The PVQ is the Quebec branch of the Green Party of Canada. A first version of the Parti vert du Quebec was foun, has pledged to try to avoid running candidates in ridings where there is a UFP candidate, although it reserves the right to run anywhere it wants to (even ridings with a UFP candidate), and has not merged with the UFP.

The UFP presents itself as an alternative to the main three parties in Quebec: the Parti QuébécoisParti Quebecois Current Leader Bernard Landry Founded October 11, 1968 Headquarters 1200 Papineau Avenue, bureau 150 Montreal, QuebecH2K 4R5(514) 526-0020 & 1-800-363-9531[mailto:info@pq. org info@pq. org] Colours Blue (also White & Red) Political ideolog, the Parti libéral du QuébecParti Liberal du Quebec Current Leader Jean Charest Founded 1867 Headquarters 4364 Saint-Denis Street Montreal, QuebecH2J 2L1(514) 288-4364[mailto:info@plq. org info@plq. org] Colours Red (also Blue) Political ideology Neoliberal & Federalist (unionist) T and the Action démocratique du QuébecAction Democratique du Quebec Current Leader Mario Dumont Founded January 6, 1994 Headquarters 740 Saint-Maurice StreetOffice #108 Montreal, QuebecH3C 1L5(514) 270-4413 & 1-800-370-3221[mailto:adq@adq. ca] Colours Blue (also Red) Political ideology Fiscal/Equipe Mario Dumont, saying that all three are but different faces of the same right-wing ideology called neoliberalism.

The UFP opposes globalization, privatization, and deregulation, and calls for increased funding of social services, higher taxes on the rich and business, proportional representation in Quebec's National Assembly, and an alternative economy based upon co-operatives and non-profit organizations.

The UFP supports Quebec independence. However as a left-wing party, it considers this option not as an end in itself, but rather as a means to achieve the party's social ideal for the people of Quebec. To solve the question of independence, the UFP suggests 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 is led by a council instead of a single leader. The UFP promises to be a party of the ballot box and of the streets, meaning that it will 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 Parti Vert du Québec's votes are included), the UFP is still a marginal party. Only time will tell if it will be able to make a breakthrough in Quebec's political scene.