On the industrial scene, the rate of fatalities among workers is the highest in Canada. Conditions leading to work-related diseases such as tuberculosis and silicosis are terrible.

Question: Considering the extent of American domination of the Canadian and Quebecois economies, do you not see the possibility of direct conflict with American troops sometime in the future?

Pierre Vallieres: In order to answer that question it is important to clearly analyze the roles of the various contending forces. For example, in Quebec, the action that the bourgeoisie takes around popular issues such as linguistic rights may well determine some of the forms of struggle. I don't think that English Canadians (as opposed to English Quebecois) would actively, in the military sense try to crush Quebec independence. I would think, however, that the position of the English in Quebec would be used to organize an anti-Quebecois drive by the American imperialists.

Question: What do you see for the future of Quebec once independence is won?

Pierre Vallieres: The future of Quebec depends on the manner in which independence is won. If independence is won through a civil war, this is obviously very much different from a "gentleman's agreement" between some political parties and the English and American bosses. It is impossible to have true independence as long as the present economic and other social institutions remain intact. It is clear then that a confrontation with the Americans is unavoidable. Therefore, it is all the more imperative to engage in negotiations with anti-imperialist governments throughout the world and indeed all the world's liberation movements. It is impossible to have socialism here without other struggles attacking the basis of American imperialism.

Obviously the ideal situation is for all countries to be at a similar leval of revolutionary development. However, different countries are fighting at different stages, and it is not possible for some leadership to tell the people when the time is ripe for revolution. The masses themselves are the ones who determine when the time is ripe. In this way, Quebec occupies a very important position within the North American context in that it can provide an example for other people in their fight against American imperialism.

Question: For those who are sufficiently militant to participate in revolutionary work, and since Canada has no mass revolutionary party, where does one direct such revolutionaries?

Pierre Vallieres: It is essential to recognize that there are many levels and means of mass popular organizing and activities. For example, clandestine underground activity does not and should not preclude more legal and mass-based types of organizing. Indeed, one cannot exist without the other. However, without proper organization and without clear political leadership--no matter if 85 per cent of the people desire freedom--true liberation cannot be achieved.

Question: In economic terms, many of the problems in Canada are similar to those of Quebec. How do you see Canadians fighting for their liberation together with Quebecois?

Pierre Vallieres: Canadians have no choice but armed struggle against imperialism. At the center of their struggle, they must place the liberation of Quebec, because in so doing they will come face to face against their own bourgeoisie. In Canada, the fight must develop along regional lines because the level of political consciousness is different in New Brunswick from what it is in British Columbia. Similarly, it is vital for Ontario to keep Quebec colonized. However, the main task is to unmask the inhuman face of imperialism. In this sense it is an international struggle. We are part of every revolution everywhere.

Question: Would you comment on the activity of the women's liberation movement now in Quebec?

Pierre Vallieres: There has been remarkable development. The liberation of women is essential to the liberation of any society. After all, when one half of the people is not free, there is no way that that society can be considered liberated. At present, there are many conflicts among women themselves. They are brainwashed by conventional social standards into believing that their only role is to fight for men's favors, to look good, whereas they must learn to accept themselves apart from these values which are imposed upon them. Our society produces the model of a woman which is insecure and passive, a person unable in many ways and unwilling to fight for her liberation. In these ways, the process is similar to all colonized peoples. In a nation already colonized, women are therefore doubly exploited.

Question: Some people have been saying that the five hundred people picked up during the October Crisis was meant to break the back of various support groups in the community. Others have said that it was to instill fear in the people. Can you comment on this?

Pierre Vallieres: Well, a list of over 5000 militants was prepared by the Montreal police and the RCMP. The police rounded up over 500 of the most active people in citizens' committees, unions, independence organizations, as well as journalists, teachers and even some politicians. This is not to say that they suspected all these people of being members of the FLQ but it was meant to merely paralyze the movement, to disorganize and behead the movement. Furthermore the government was hoping to frighten the people away from the FLQ. This is what the government referred to as "I' erosion de la volonte populaire."

Question: Is the FLQ still alive?