Rassemblement démocratique pour l'indépendance
Encyclopedia
The Rassemblement démocratique pour l'indépendance (RDI) was a short-lived political movement promoting the cause of Quebec independence. It was started in February 1985 by disgruntled former members of the Parti Québécois
, who objected to the party's decision the previous month to de-emphasize its support for Quebec sovereignty.
was chosen as its first president on an interim basis, while other important members and supporters included Gilbert Paquette
and Jacques Parizeau
. Some RDI members wanted the movement to become a full-fledged political party, while others, including Parizeau, regarded it as simply a temporary organization for supporters of Quebec independence. Those in the latter camp expected that the PQ would be defeated in the 1985 provincial election
, and that the party could later be returned to a sovereigntist focus.
The RDI held its official founding convention at the end of March 1985 and chose former PQ cabinet minister Denise Leblanc-Bantey
as its full-time president. The convention did not decide whether or not the RDI should field candidates in the 1985 election, and Parizeau openly argued against this possibility. Leblanc-Bantey announced in May that the RDI would not field candidates, noting that some members had still not severed their ties to the PQ.
Five Members of the Quebec National Assembly (MNAs) affiliated with the RDI in 1985, although they were not recognized as an official party caucus. The RDI did not support a candidate in the 1985 Parti Québécois leadership election
that followed René Lévesque
's resignation, although Jean Garon
sought to bring RDI members into his leadership campaign.
Notwithstanding Parizeau's comments, two hundred delegates to a June 1986 RDI convention in Montreal voted almost unanimously to turn the movement into a party. New president Lyne Marcoux said that the RDI would no longer "play a phantom role in politics" and would hold negotiations with other sovereigntist organizations. A leadership convention was tentatively scheduled for the spring of 1987. Bernard Landry
attended the conference as an observer, but later said that he would remain a member of the PQ.
In the event, the RDI never fielded a candidate in an election. Pierre-Marc Johnson
resigned as PQ leader in 1987, and Parizeau was chosen as his successor. The PQ subsequently re-confirmed its support for Quebec sovereignty, and most RDI members returned to the fold. The RDI was largely dormant by this time, and by 1988 it was described by the Montreal Gazette as defunct.
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
, who objected to the party's decision the previous month to de-emphasize its support for Quebec sovereignty.
Formation
The RDI was initially an informal alliance of Quebec sovereigntists. Former PQ cabinet minister Camille LaurinCamille Laurin
Camille Laurin was a psychiatrist and Parti Québécois politician in the province of Quebec, Canada. MNA member for the riding of Bourget, he is considered the father of Quebec's language law known informally as "Bill 101".-Biography:Born in Charlemagne, Quebec, Laurin obtained a degree in...
was chosen as its first president on an interim basis, while other important members and supporters included Gilbert Paquette
Gilbert Paquette
Gilbert Paquette is a researcher at the Centre interuniversitaire de recherche sur le téléapprentissage , which he founded in 1992, and a Quebec politician...
and Jacques Parizeau
Jacques Parizeau
Jacques Parizeau, is an economist and noted Quebec sovereignist who was the 26th Premier of the Canadian province of Quebec from September 26, 1994 to January 29, 1996.-Early life and career:...
. Some RDI members wanted the movement to become a full-fledged political party, while others, including Parizeau, regarded it as simply a temporary organization for supporters of Quebec independence. Those in the latter camp expected that the PQ would be defeated in the 1985 provincial election
Quebec general election, 1985
The Quebec general election of 1985 was held on December 2, 1985, to elect members of the National Assembly of the Province of Quebec, Canada. The Quebec Liberal Party, led by former premier Robert Bourassa, defeated the incumbent Parti Québécois, led by premier Pierre-Marc Johnson.This election...
, and that the party could later be returned to a sovereigntist focus.
The RDI held its official founding convention at the end of March 1985 and chose former PQ cabinet minister Denise Leblanc-Bantey
Denise Leblanc-Bantey
Denise Leblanc-Bantey, also known as Denise Leblanc, was a Canadian politician and a two-term Member of the National Assembly of Quebec.-Background:She was born on December 15, 1949 in L'Étang-du-Nord, Quebec...
as its full-time president. The convention did not decide whether or not the RDI should field candidates in the 1985 election, and Parizeau openly argued against this possibility. Leblanc-Bantey announced in May that the RDI would not field candidates, noting that some members had still not severed their ties to the PQ.
Five Members of the Quebec National Assembly (MNAs) affiliated with the RDI in 1985, although they were not recognized as an official party caucus. The RDI did not support a candidate in the 1985 Parti Québécois leadership election
Parti Québécois leadership election, 1985
The Parti Québécois leadership election of 1985 was held to elect a new leader of the Parti Québécois, the main sovereigntist and social democratic political party in Quebec, Canada. It elected Pierre-Marc Johnson at the helm of the party...
that followed René Lévesque
René Lévesque
René Lévesque was a reporter, a minister of the government of Quebec, , the founder of the Parti Québécois political party and the 23rd Premier of Quebec...
's resignation, although Jean Garon
Jean Garon
Jean Garon is a politician, academic and economist in Quebec, Canada.He was born in Saint-Michel, Quebec, and graduated from Université Laval with a bachelor's degree in 1960 and a master's in economics two years later...
sought to bring RDI members into his leadership campaign.
Decline
The PQ was defeated by the Quebec Liberal Party in the 1985 election. The following year, Parizeau openly speculated that the RDI need not become a political party, and that he expected the PQ could become an openly separatist entity again.Notwithstanding Parizeau's comments, two hundred delegates to a June 1986 RDI convention in Montreal voted almost unanimously to turn the movement into a party. New president Lyne Marcoux said that the RDI would no longer "play a phantom role in politics" and would hold negotiations with other sovereigntist organizations. A leadership convention was tentatively scheduled for the spring of 1987. Bernard Landry
Bernard Landry
Bernard Landry, is a Quebec lawyer, teacher, politician, who served as the 28th Premier of Quebec , leader of the Opposition and leader of the Parti Québécois .-Personal:...
attended the conference as an observer, but later said that he would remain a member of the PQ.
In the event, the RDI never fielded a candidate in an election. Pierre-Marc Johnson
Pierre-Marc Johnson
Pierre-Marc Johnson, , is a Quebec lawyer, physician and politician. He was the 24th Premier of Quebec from October 3 to December 12, 1985.- Early background :...
resigned as PQ leader in 1987, and Parizeau was chosen as his successor. The PQ subsequently re-confirmed its support for Quebec sovereignty, and most RDI members returned to the fold. The RDI was largely dormant by this time, and by 1988 it was described by the Montreal Gazette as defunct.