People's Party of Canada
A clear guide to the People's Party of Canada (PPC): its founding by Maxime Bernier, its right-wing populist ideology, and where it stands on immigration, the economy, and government.
Overview
- Country
- Canada
- Founded
- 2018
- Position
- Right-wing populist
- Leader
- Maxime Bernier
- Headquarters
- Gatineau
The People's Party of Canada, known as the PPC, is a right-wing populist party founded and led by Maxime Bernier. It campaigns for sharply reduced immigration, lower taxes, a smaller federal government, and the rejection of what it describes as political correctness and globalism. It has attracted a notable share of the vote but has not won seats in Parliament.
The party positions itself to the right of the Conservatives and appeals to voters who feel the main parties have moved too far toward the political centre.
History
The party was founded in 2018 by Maxime Bernier, a former Conservative cabinet minister who narrowly lost that party's 2017 leadership race and then left to form his own movement. It contested its first general election in 2019.
The PPC gained wider attention during the COVID-19 period, when its opposition to lockdowns and vaccine mandates lifted its vote share to around five percent in 2021, though it still won no seats. It has continued to run nationally on a populist platform.
Economic Policy
The PPC favours sharply lower taxes, deep cuts to federal spending, balanced budgets, and a much smaller government. It supports free markets, opposes corporate subsidies and supply management in agriculture, and calls for the removal of interprovincial trade barriers. It is strongly opposed to carbon pricing.
Foreign Policy
The PPC emphasises national sovereignty and is sceptical of international institutions and agreements it views as against Canadian interests. It favours a foreign policy focused tightly on national interests and controlled borders.
Where They Stand
- Calls for sharp reductions in immigration levels
- Favours deep cuts to taxes and federal spending
- Opposes carbon pricing and corporate subsidies
- Wants to remove interprovincial trade barriers
- Emphasises free speech and opposes identity politics
- Stresses national sovereignty and controlled borders
Electoral Record
The PPC has never won a seat in Parliament. Its best result came in 2021, when it took around five percent of the national vote, boosted by opposition to pandemic restrictions. It continues to contest elections across the country.
Position on the Political Compass
People's Party of Canada sits on the right-leaning side on economics and is more authoritarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Maxime Bernier
Founder and leader
A former Conservative cabinet minister who founded the PPC in 2018 after narrowly losing the Conservative leadership, and has led it ever since on a populist platform.
Sources and Further Reading
- People's Party of Canada (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitepeoplespartyofcanada.ca
- 2025 Canadian federal election (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Canada political test to see how your views compare with People's Party of Canada and the other parties.
Take the Canada Test
Social Policy
The party is nationalist and socially conservative in emphasis, with immigration as its central issue. It calls for large reductions in immigration levels and a tighter approach to the border, and it emphasises Canadian identity and free speech while opposing what it describes as identity politics.