POLIS Index Canada for Political Parties
Highlights by Education Level
Canadians' ethical evaluations of political parties differ across education levels, though the overall pattern remains consistent. Among respondents with a university degree, the NDP receives the highest POLIS score at 3.15, followed by the Liberal Party at 3.13, and the Conservative Party at 2.44. This group strongly favors the NDP and Liberals on values such as fairness, transparency, and accountability, while rating the Conservatives lower across the board. These results suggest that more highly educated Canadians perceive progressive parties as more ethically representative.
Those with graduate or professional degrees show a similar pattern. The NDP leads again with a POLIS score of 3.13, the Liberals follow at 3.15 (effectively tied), and the Conservatives trail at 2.49. This group tends to rate the Liberals slightly higher than the NDP on competence and legitimacy, while the NDP remains stronger on benevolence and fairness. Conservative scores remain consistently lower, particularly on values associated with inclusion and procedural fairness.
Among Canadians with a college degree, the NDP again leads at 3.12, followed by the Liberals at 3.07, and the Conservatives at 2.50. Here too, the ethical perceptions of the two center-left parties are fairly close, with the NDP retaining a slight edge. Respondents in this group rate the NDP highest on integrity and accountability, reflecting a general view of the party as more consistent in upholding ethical standards.
For those with a high school education or less, the party rankings remain the same, but the gaps narrow slightly. The NDP leads with a POLIS score of 3.06, followed by the Liberals at 2.94, and the Conservatives at 2.52. While the NDP continues to perform best on values like fairness and benevolence, the Liberals maintain their advantage on legitimacy and competence. The Conservative Party shows a slight improvement in this group compared to others, but remains the lowest-rated party overall.
These findings suggest that education level is strongly associated with ethical perceptions of political parties. Across all educational backgrounds, the NDP is consistently seen as the most ethically aligned party, followed closely by the Liberal Party. The Conservative Party trails in every group, with its lowest scores coming from university-educated respondents. The consistency of this pattern across education levels points to a widespread perception that the NDP and Liberals embody more of the values that Canadians associate with ethical representation, as measured by the POLIS Index.
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.