The CANADA! Party was a short-lived political party in the Canadian province of Quebec, active between 1994 and 1998. Founded by Tony Kondaks, a federalist activist and former aide to Equality Party leader Robert Libman, the party’s central platform focused on opposing Quebec separatism during the politically charged years leading up to the 1995 Quebec referendum.
Origins and Name
The party was officially founded on Canada Day, July 1, 1994, by Kondaks. It was originally named the Canada Party of Quebec / Parti Canada du Québec, but the name created confusion with the unrelated federal-level Canada Party. To distinguish itself, the party adopted the stylized name CANADA!, written in full capitals and ending with an exclamation mark, only weeks after its creation.
Political Platform
The CANADA! Party was explicitly federalist and opposed Quebec independence. Its unique platform promised that any electoral riding which voted in a CANADA! candidate would remain within Canada—even if Quebec as a whole voted to secede. This position was crafted as a safeguard for voters in English-speaking or federalist-leaning constituencies who feared the breakup of the country during the lead-up to the 1995 referendum on Quebec sovereignty.
Controversies
From the beginning, the party faced challenges. Kondaks attempted to raise funds using a 1-900 telephone line to solicit contributions from outside Quebec. In July 1994, Justice Roland Tremblay ruled that this violated Quebec’s electoral laws and barred the practice. This setback limited the party’s financial resources and hampered its ability to build momentum.
Electoral Performance
The CANADA! Party participated in the 1994 Quebec provincial election, fielding 10 candidates. Collectively, they secured 2,567 votes, representing about 0.07% of all ballots cast. The party failed to win any seats.
By 1998, the CANADA! Party had become inactive and did not run any candidates in the provincial election that year. Consequently, it lost its official party status under Quebec electoral law.
Dissolution and Legacy
The CANADA! Party was formally dissolved in 1998, marking only four years of existence. Though electorally marginal, it reflected the anxieties of many English-speaking and federalist residents of Quebec during the height of separatist tensions.
Its founder, Tony Kondaks, later moved to Mesa, Arizona, United States, but remained engaged with Canadian politics by writing frequent opinion letters to Montreal’s English-language newspaper, The Gazette.
