POLIS Index Canada for Party Leaders
Highlights by Marital Status
Perceptions of political leaders on ethical values vary across marital status groups, though Mark Carney consistently ranks highest in all categories. Among married respondents, Carney receives the top POLIS score at 3.31, followed by Jagmeet Singh at 2.93, and Pierre Poilievre at 2.50. Carney's lead is supported by high ratings in competence, legitimacy, and procedural fairness. Singh performs strongest on benevolence and fairness, while Poilievre trails behind in most value categories, particularly transparency and fairness.
Among those who are separated, divorced, or widowed, Carney maintains the highest rating with a POLIS score of 3.59—his highest among all marital groups. Singh also performs strongly here with a score of 3.24, while Poilievre scores 2.26. The higher ratings for both Carney and Singh suggest that respondents in this group may place more emphasis on ethical values such as fairness, accountability, and legitimacy. Poilievre’s lower rating may reflect skepticism toward his consistency on these dimensions.
Single respondents also rate Carney highest, with a POLIS score of 3.37, followed by Singh at 3.10, and Poilievre at 2.34. Carney’s continued dominance in this group suggests that younger or non-partnered Canadians perceive him as an ethically sound and capable leader. Singh’s strong showing reflects his perceived moral concern and advocacy for fairness, while Poilievre again lags, with particularly low scores in benevolence and transparency.
Across all marital groups, Singh’s strength lies in his consistent performance on values such as fairness, accountability, and benevolence, though he scores somewhat lower on competence and legitimacy relative to Carney. Poilievre’s performance is weakest across the board, with only slight variation between marital groups. His best performance is among married respondents, though even here he remains significantly behind both Carney and Singh.
Overall, the results suggest that marital status modestly influences ethical perceptions, but the general pattern remains the same: Carney is widely seen as the most ethically credible leader across all relationship statuses, followed by Singh. Poilievre’s consistently lower POLIS scores highlight a broader perception gap in ethical representation. These findings reinforce the importance of values such as competence, fairness, and legitimacy in shaping Canadians’ assessments of political leadership through the lens of 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.