it was founded on november 17, 1885, the day following the execution of métis leader louis riel. many french-speaking catholics resented the way the federal government of sir john a. macdonald had riel hanged for treason. mercier proposed to create a broader coalition which would include conservative dissidents as well as his liberal base. in the following days 50,000 people gathered in the champ de mars in montreal to hear mercier voice their support for riel.