Leaders of the leftist Québec Solidaire political party believe they can win as many as five seats in the next provincial election.

FROM FEB. 5, 2006: New left-wing party starts in Quebec

President Alexa Conradi said the party's social-democratic, sovereignist principles will prove attractive to many Quebecers.

It hopes to run in all 125 provincial seats in the next election, and has set up a commission to develop a program, about 100 representatives decided at its first council meeting over the weekend in Quebec City.

The newly formed party is aiming at dissatisfied members of the Parti Québécois and other voters with plans for a green, more equal province.

However, the Green Party of Quebec over the weekend rejected a plan to merge with Québec Solidaire, itself formed from the merger of two left-wing groups, Option Citoyenne and Union des forces progressistes, which have about 4,000 members.

The group has argued that the province's main parties, the PQ and the Liberals, have not addressed issues like poverty and the environment.

 

 

N.L. New Democrats pick new leader

Lorraine Michael, a former nun and high-school principal best known as a social activist and feminist, has been chosen to take the helm of Newfoundland and Labrador's NDP. Michael, who is from St. John's, won the party's leadership on Sunday, defeating writer Nina Patey in the contest to replace outgoing leader Jack Harris.

Lorraine Michael, a former Roman Catholic nun, left the church in 1993 in protest over how it dealt with people who were sexually abused by clergy members. (CBC)

Anti-smoking crusader buried in Ottawa

About 250 mourners gathered Saturday to pay their last respects to Heather Crowe, the waitress who developed lung cancer after 40 years of breathing second-hand smoke.

Heather Crowe, who never smoked herself, died of lung cancer caused by second-hand smoke in her workplaces. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

Aklavik evacuated as spring waters rise

More than 160 people were moved from the Aklavik area to higher ground Saturday after the Mackenzie River threatened to overflow its banks.

Walrus population at risk, scientists say

The Atlantic walrus should be declared a "species of concern" because hunting has reduced its numbers so much that the species is now threatened.

CUPE in Ontario votes to boycott Israel

The Ontario divison of Canada's largest union has voted to support an international campaign that is boycotting Israel over its treatment of Palestinians.