The party also nominated one candidate in the 4 May 1981 by-election in the riding of Levis, Quebec.
The aim of the party was to promote the cause of independence for the Province of Quebec in federal elections.
That party had a long-standing policy of not participating in federal politics.
The Union populaire was succeeded by the Parti nationaliste du Québec in the 1984 federal election, and subsequently by the Bloc Québécois.
Only one candidate, Andre Cote from Beauce, ran for both the UP and the Bloc; he was defeated in the 2008 election.