Rouge refers to a member or follower of the Québec-based Parti rouge (Parti démocratique), a group of radical francophone intellectuals. Inspired by the ideas of Louis-Joseph Papineau, their early policies included support of American annexation of Canada. In the years following Confederation, the Parti rouge merged with the Clear Grits of Canada West to form the basis of the Liberal Party and subsequently moderated their policies. They remained, however, strongly anti-clerical, strongly opposed to the influence of the Catholic Church over Québec politics.
