POLIS Index Canada for Political Parties
Highlights by Generational Cohort
Across generational cohorts in Canada, ethical perceptions of political parties vary in nuanced but consistent ways. Among Baby Boomers, the NDP and the Liberal Party are virtually tied, with POLIS Index scores of 3.19 each, while the Conservative Party trails at 2.75. This suggests that even among older voters—often assumed to lean more conservative—the NDP and Liberals are seen as more aligned with values like integrity, fairness, and transparency. The NDP edges out the Liberals by a small margin, indicating that older Canadians still perceive it as ethically representative, even if this perception does not always translate into electoral support.
Among Generation X, the NDP takes the lead with a POLIS score of 3.14, followed by the Liberals at 3.07, and the Conservatives at 2.57. Gen X respondents appear to value both competence and fairness in political leadership, and the NDP’s strong showing may reflect alignment with values like benevolence and procedural fairness. The Liberal Party remains competitive due to relatively high scores on legitimacy and competence. The Conservative Party continues to receive the lowest rating among this group, suggesting a broader issue with ethical perception across middle-aged Canadians.
In Millennials, the pattern remains similar. The NDP again leads with a score of 3.09, followed by the Liberals at 3.03, and the Conservatives at 2.40. While the Liberals retain credibility, particularly on competence and legitimacy, Millennials appear to reward the NDP for its consistency in benevolence, fairness, and integrity. The gap between the NDP and Liberals is narrower than in Gen X, but the Conservative Party continues to lag significantly—especially on values like benevolence and transparency, which younger voters may prioritize more heavily.
Among Generation Z, the NDP holds the highest POLIS score at 3.15, closely followed by the Liberals at 3.11, and the Conservatives at 2.55. These findings reinforce the idea that younger Canadians overwhelmingly view the NDP and Liberals as more ethically credible than the Conservatives. Gen Z’s ratings suggest a particularly strong valuation of fairness, accountability, and legitimacy—areas where the NDP performs well. The Conservatives show a slight uptick in perceived competence, but not enough to offset lower ratings across other dimensions.
Overall, the POLIS Index reveals a clear generational consensus: across all age groups, the NDP and Liberal Party are perceived more positively on ethical values than the Conservative Party. While the Liberals perform well on competence and legitimacy across generations, the NDP consistently outperforms in values associated with moral conduct, benevolence, and fairness. The Conservative Party's perception gap is widest among Millennials and narrowest among Boomers, but they remain the lowest-rated party on ethical representation across all cohorts. These patterns highlight the importance of values-based evaluations in shaping long-term trust across generations, with implications for how parties engage voters not just on policy, but on principle.
What values do people in democratic nations want their political parties to imbue and represent?
Integrity
Integrity means acting consistently with one’s principles and telling the truth, even when it's inconvenient. In a democracy, people expect their political representatives to follow through on promises and live up to the values they claim to hold. Without integrity, public trust quickly erodes.
Benevolence
Benevolence reflects care, compassion, and a commitment to serving the public rather than personal or partisan interests. Citizens expect those in power to act in the best interest of society, especially for vulnerable or underserved groups. When benevolence is lacking, politics can feel distant and self-serving.
Accountability
Accountability means being answerable for decisions and willing to admit mistakes. Democratic systems rely on the idea that leaders serve the people and must face consequences if they fall short. When accountability is strong, citizens feel empowered to demand better.
Legitimacy
Legitimacy is the belief that those in power deserve their authority and represent the people fairly. It’s not just about winning elections — it’s about earning public trust through ethical, democratic leadership. Without legitimacy, political systems struggle to function effectively or peacefully.
Competence
Competence is the ability to get things done — to design effective policies, manage resources, and solve problems. In democratic societies, voters want leaders who can deliver real results and meet the needs of diverse communities. Good intentions matter, but capable execution is essential.
Transparency
Transparency is about openness — making decisions visible, explaining them clearly, and sharing information honestly. In a democracy, people have a right to know how decisions are made and why. Transparency builds public confidence and helps prevent corruption or manipulation.
Procedural Fairness
Procedural fairness ensures that rules are applied equally, decisions are made impartially, and everyone is treated with respect. In a diverse democracy, fairness is the foundation of legitimacy — it reassures people that the system is not biased or rigged. Fair processes create faith in just outcomes.