A City with a Difference: The Rise and Fall of the Montreal Citizens Movement

The Montreal Citizen’s Movement, a municipal party created in May 1974, was a broad coalition that included members of major trade unions, Parti Qu+b+cois militants, the Quebec wing of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP), independent radicals, and a significant number of Anglophone intellectuals. In its twelve years in opposition (1974-1986) and its two terms in power (ending in 1995), the MCM had a powerful influence on both the policy and process of Montreal’s municipal government. A City With a Difference describes how different types of political activists function within populist political parties – pragmatists, ideologues, party strategists, and citizens seeking involvement in the workings of their city. The author demonstrates that the MCM is what Herbert Kitschelt calls a left-libertarian party with electoral pragmatists co-existing with ideologically-driven social activists within the same political structure. From the years in opposition to the years in power, Thomas chronicles the MCM’s triumphs, failures, conflicts, and compromises. This is a fascinating case study with relevance for other cities.