Highlights by Region

Across all six major regions of Canada British Columbia, Alberta, the Prairies, Ontario, Québec, and Atlantic Canada—the NDP was rated highest on the POLIS Index, a composite measure of ethical representation based on public perceptions of seven values: integrity, competence, benevolence, transparency, accountability, procedural fairness, and legitimacy. With an average score of 3.12 out of 5, the NDP was consistently seen as the most ethically credible party across the country, outperforming the Liberal Party (3.07) and the Conservative Party (2.50). Even in regions where the NDP is not traditionally electorally dominant—such as Alberta and Québec—it was still viewed as embodying ethical values more strongly than its competitors.

This finding is especially striking because it contrasts with current electoral support levels. For example, national vote intention polls show the NDP trailing far behind the Liberals and Conservatives in popular support. Yet, in terms of public perceptions of ethical behavior and trustworthiness, the NDP leads in every region. This suggests a disconnect between ethical admiration and vote intention—Canadians may believe the NDP best represents ethical values, but may not see them as a viable governing option under current political or strategic conditions.

The Liberal Party, meanwhile, holds second place on the POLIS Index in every region. This suggests that many Canadians view the Liberals as reasonably trustworthy and competent, but perhaps not as morally consistent or benevolent as the NDP. Regional differences do exist, however—for instance, Liberal POLIS scores are relatively stronger in Atlantic Canada and Ontario, reflecting regions where the party has traditionally had more institutional presence and policy visibility. Still, the party’s scores trail behind the NDP’s in every region, implying a values-based perception gap that may affect long-term trust, especially in a context of political fatigue or scandal.

The Conservative Party ranks lowest across all six regions, with an average POLIS Index score of just 2.50. While this does not necessarily reflect hostility toward the party’s policies or ideology, it does suggest that the Conservatives are perceived—across regions—as embodying fewer of the values typically associated with ethical political representation. Their lowest scores are particularly evident in values like benevolence, transparency, and procedural fairness. However, their slightly higher scores in Alberta and the Prairies may reflect a closer alignment between Conservative rhetoric and regional values, particularly those emphasizing strength, competence, and legitimacy in governance.

Taken together, these findings offer important insight into how Canadians perceive their political parties beyond partisan loyalty or policy preference. The POLIS Index captures the moral tone of political evaluation, highlighting which parties are seen as trustworthy, fair, and transparent across different parts of the country. That the NDP consistently leads across all regions indicates a broad, cross-regional desire for ethical governance—even if that desire is not (yet) reflected in voting behavior. The findings suggest a potential reputational advantage for the NDP, and an opportunity for the Liberals and Conservatives to reflect on how they are perceived in terms of moral representation, not just electoral viability.