POLIS Index Canada for Party Leaders
Highlights by Education Level
Ethical perceptions of political leaders vary across education levels, though Mark Carney leads consistently regardless of respondents’ academic background. Among respondents with a high school education or less, Carney receives the highest POLIS score at 3.22, followed by Jagmeet Singh at 2.99, and Pierre Poilievre at 2.43. Carney’s lead is driven by high scores on competence, legitimacy, and procedural fairness. Singh is rated particularly well on benevolence and fairness, while Poilievre scores lowest across all seven values in this group.
Among those with a college degree, Carney again leads with a POLIS score of 3.36, followed by Singh at 3.04, and Poilievre at 2.39. Carney’s ratings are especially strong on competence, legitimacy, and transparency, reinforcing his image as a highly credible and capable leader. Singh continues to perform well on fairness, accountability, and benevolence, while Poilievre receives more modest ratings, with his highest value being competence and his lowest being fairness.
For university-educated respondents, Carney remains in first place with a POLIS score of 3.41, Singh follows at 3.09, and Poilievre again ranks third at 2.32. Carney’s reputation for competence and institutional legitimacy remains strong, and Singh’s standing improves slightly, particularly in perceived fairness and benevolence. Poilievre’s scores in this group decline slightly compared to those with a college education, suggesting that more highly educated Canadians are even more skeptical of his ethical credibility.
Among those with graduate or professional degrees, Carney once again leads with a POLIS score of 3.44, Singh follows at 3.04, and Poilievre comes in at 2.39. Carney’s lead here is driven not only by competence and legitimacy but also by relatively high scores across all seven values. Singh’s ratings remain stable, continuing to reflect perceptions of ethical warmth and fairness. Poilievre performs slightly better in this group than among university-educated respondents but still ranks significantly lower than his competitors.
Overall, education level shapes how Canadians assess political leaders on ethical values, but the hierarchy remains consistent. Carney is the highest-rated leader across all education groups, particularly among those with more schooling, where perceptions of competence and legitimacy dominate. Singh performs strongly as a morally grounded and fair leader, appealing across all levels of education. Poilievre ranks lowest throughout, with relatively better ratings on competence but persistent challenges on values such as fairness, transparency, and benevolence. These findings suggest that ethical representation, as captured by the POLIS Index, is strongly influenced by how educational experiences shape expectations of political leadership.
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.