POLIS Index Canada for Party Leaders
Highlights by Socioeconomic Status
Perceptions of political leaders based on ethical values vary by socioeconomic status, though Mark Carney consistently receives the highest ratings across all SES groups. Among respondents who identify as lower class, Carney leads with a POLIS score of 3.29, followed by Jagmeet Singh at 3.08, and Pierre Poilievre at 2.30. Carney is especially well-regarded for competence and legitimacy, while Singh is seen as strong on fairness and benevolence. Poilievre trails across most values in this group, particularly in transparency and procedural fairness.
Among middle-class respondents, the hierarchy remains the same: Carney leads with a POLIS score of 3.34, Singh follows at 3.03, and Poilievre at 2.49. Carney’s consistently strong performance reflects broad trust in his institutional credibility and ethical steadiness. Singh’s slightly lower score in this group compared to the lower class suggests that his moral appeal may resonate more strongly with economically vulnerable Canadians. Poilievre sees a small bump in this group, especially on competence, but still remains lowest in perceived ethical alignment.
Upper-class respondents give Carney his highest score in the dataset at 3.57. Singh also performs well at 3.08, while Poilievre drops to 2.20, his lowest among all SES groups. This gap suggests that wealthier Canadians particularly value institutional legitimacy, transparency, and procedural fairness—dimensions where Carney excels. Singh remains steady across classes, maintaining his strength on benevolence and fairness. Poilievre's lower rating among upper-class respondents may reflect skepticism toward his leadership style or perceived ethical inconsistencies.
The differences in Poilievre’s scores across SES levels are notable: while he performs best among the middle class, his appeal decreases among both lower- and upper-class respondents. Carney’s consistent top scores and Singh’s stability across the board indicate widespread appeal rooted in different but complementary ethical traits. Carney is seen as competent and trustworthy; Singh as caring and fair. Poilievre’s challenges lie in bridging the ethical perception gap across diverse economic contexts.
Overall, socioeconomic status shapes how Canadians perceive political leaders’ ethical credibility. Carney is the clear frontrunner across all SES levels, Singh retains strong and steady support, and Poilievre remains the lowest-rated leader throughout. The POLIS Index reveals that values like competence, fairness, and legitimacy are critical to public trust—and that different leaders activate these dimensions in different ways depending on their reputational strengths and the audiences evaluating them.
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.