POLIS Index Canada for Party Leaders
Highlights by Religion
Ethical perceptions of political leaders in Canada vary meaningfully based on respondents’ religious beliefs. Among agnostic respondents, Mark Carney receives the highest POLIS score at 3.47, followed by Jagmeet Singh at 3.18, and Pierre Poilievre at 2.14. These results suggest that agnostic Canadians view Carney as the most ethically credible leader, particularly on values such as competence, legitimacy, and transparency. Singh also receives favorable evaluations, especially on benevolence and fairness, while Poilievre trails considerably across all values.
A similar pattern holds among atheist respondents, with Carney again leading at 3.45, Singh at 3.17, and Poilievre at 2.12. The narrow gap between agnostic and atheist scores suggests a shared ethical outlook among secular Canadians, with Carney perceived as the most institutionally sound and Singh seen as morally aligned. Poilievre’s low rating in this group is consistent with his broader underperformance in values tied to fairness, benevolence, and procedural accountability.
Among respondents who selected “other” for their religious beliefs, Carney maintains the top position with a POLIS score of 3.27, Singh follows at 3.20, and Poilievre improves to 2.39—his highest score across all religious categories. This slight uptick for Poilievre may reflect varying interpretations of moral leadership or economic messaging within non-mainstream belief systems. Still, Carney and Singh remain the clear frontrunners, with strong ratings in both technical and ethical dimensions.
The only group where Poilievre outperforms one of his rivals is among religious respondents, where he scores 2.88, slightly ahead of Singh at 2.79 but behind Carney at 3.19. This result indicates that religious Canadians may view Poilievre more favorably than secular Canadians do, possibly due to shared values around order, tradition, or perceived moral clarity. However, Carney still leads in this group, showing a broad-based appeal across belief systems.
Overall, these findings reveal that religious belief shapes how Canadians evaluate political leaders on ethical grounds. Carney consistently leads across all groups, benefiting from high ratings in competence and institutional trust. Singh appeals most on values tied to fairness and benevolence, while Poilievre performs relatively better among religious respondents but remains the lowest-rated leader overall. The POLIS Index shows how perceptions of ethical leadership are filtered through belief systems that influence expectations of political behavior and public trust.
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.