The Populist Vying to Lead Canada and End Decade of Liberalism
Maxime Bernier, the leader of the People’s Party of Canada (PPC), is vying to lead his country out of a decade-long era of liberalism. Bernier, a 58-year-old former MP, is challenging Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party for dominance in the federal election set for October 2023. A self-proclaimed populist, Bernier’s vision for Canada centers on dismantling the status quo and replacing it with a free-market economy that prioritizes Canadian interests.
For Bernier, the 10-year tenure of Trudeau’s government has been a disaster, marked by crippling national debt, failed economic policies, and an erosion of traditional values. “Trudeau’s agenda is about empowering the wealthy, the corporate world, and the global elites at the expense of the working-class Canadians,” he says.
As the leader of the PPC, Bernier plans to cut the national carbon tax, which he believes has cost Canadians millions of dollars without yielding significant environmental benefits. He also wants to overhaul the tax code, slashing the corporate tax rate and introducing a flat personal income tax. The PPC’s manifesto promises to roll back federal regulatory powers, citing the need for greater provincial autonomy.
Bernier’s stance on immigration is equally controversial. The PPC leader argues that Canada should adopt a “points-based system” that favors skilled workers, while capping the overall immigration intake to around 300,000 people annually. Critics contend that such measures would lead to a xenophobic and divisive country.
In recent years, the PPC has grown in popularity, attracting a coalition of disgruntled Conservative and Liberal voters fed up with Trudeau’s perceived shortcomings. A January 2023 poll put the PPC in second place, behind the Liberals but ahead of the Conservatives. Whether Bernier’s populist platform will ultimately resonate with Canadian voters remains to be seen, but the PPC’s surprise success has left the established parties scrambling to address the party’s growing influence.