Montréal Écologique
Encyclopedia
Montréal Écologique (English: Ecology Montreal) was a municipal political party in Montreal
, Quebec
, Canada
, that existed from 1990 to 1994.
The party was established at about the same time as the Coalition démocratique de Montréal (CDM), a left-wing breakaway group from the governing Montreal Citizens' Movement
(MCM). Roussopoulos held talks with CDM leaders on inter-party co-operation in late 1989, although no agreement was reached at time time. In October 1990, the parties signed a "non-aggression pact," pledging not to run against one another in most of the city's council wards. As a result of the pact, Montréal Écologique did not field a candidate for mayor.
included calls for reducing automobile use, increasing green space, a full recycling program, proportional representation
, and a toll for cars entering the Island of Montreal
with fewer than three people. During the election, Roussopoulos said that Montreal should reduce its garbage output by seventy per cent. Some party members also pledged to set up a food bank
after the election, expressing surprise at the degree of poverty in the city.
MÉ ran twenty-one candidates in the 1990 election, none of whom were elected. Roussopoulos finished second to an MCM candidate in the Jeanne-Mance ward.
.
The merged party won two seats on council, both of whom were former members of the Coalition democratique. These councillors used the CD-MÉ name until the 1998 election
, at which time the party reverted to the Coalition democratique name. Montréal Écologique did not re-surface as a separate organization after this time.
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, that existed from 1990 to 1994.
Origins
The party that became Montréal Écologique was started in 1989 through a series of public meetings organized by Dimitri Roussopoulos, a veteran political organizer and publisher in the city. Roussopoulos indicated that his group was intended to become Montreal's first municipal green party and would make environmental issues its top priority. MÉ was formally registered with city hall in April 1990.The party was established at about the same time as the Coalition démocratique de Montréal (CDM), a left-wing breakaway group from the governing Montreal Citizens' Movement
Montreal Citizens' Movement
The Montreal Citizens' Movement was a municipal political party in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It existed from 1973 to 2001.-Origins:...
(MCM). Roussopoulos held talks with CDM leaders on inter-party co-operation in late 1989, although no agreement was reached at time time. In October 1990, the parties signed a "non-aggression pact," pledging not to run against one another in most of the city's council wards. As a result of the pact, Montréal Écologique did not field a candidate for mayor.
1990 election
Montréal Écologique's platform for the 1990 municipal electionMontreal municipal election, 1990
The 1990 Montreal municipal election took place on November 4, 1990, to elect a mayor and city councillors in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Jean Doré was elected to a second term as mayor by a significant margin....
included calls for reducing automobile use, increasing green space, a full recycling program, proportional representation
Proportional representation
Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular...
, and a toll for cars entering the Island of Montreal
Island of Montreal
The Island of Montreal , in extreme southwestern Quebec, Canada, is located at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. It is separated from Île Jésus by the Rivière des Prairies....
with fewer than three people. During the election, Roussopoulos said that Montreal should reduce its garbage output by seventy per cent. Some party members also pledged to set up a food bank
Food bank
A food bank or foodbank is a non-profit, charitable organization that distributes mostly donated food to a wide variety of agencies that in turn feed the hungry. The largest sources of food are for-profit growers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers who in the normal course of business have...
after the election, expressing surprise at the degree of poverty in the city.
MÉ ran twenty-one candidates in the 1990 election, none of whom were elected. Roussopoulos finished second to an MCM candidate in the Jeanne-Mance ward.
Merger
Roussopoulos remained as leader of Montréal Écologique until August 1994, when the party was formally merged with the Coalition democratique de Montreal. Yolande Cohen became leader of the resulting Coalition democratique-Montréal Écologique (CD-MÉ) party for the 1994 electionMontreal municipal election, 1994
The 1994 Montreal municipal election took place on November 6, 1994. Pierre Bourque was elected to his first term as mayor, defeating incumbent Jean Doré...
.
The merged party won two seats on council, both of whom were former members of the Coalition democratique. These councillors used the CD-MÉ name until the 1998 election
Montreal municipal election, 1998
The city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada held municipal elections on November 1, 1998, to elect a mayor and city councillors. Pierre Bourque was returned to a second term as mayor against a divided opposition....
, at which time the party reverted to the Coalition democratique name. Montréal Écologique did not re-surface as a separate organization after this time.