View source for Earth:People's Party of Canada

{{short description|Canadian right-wing federal political party, founded 2018}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox political party
| president = Maxime Bernier
| name = People's Party of Canada
| logo = People's Party of Canada logo.png
| colorcode = {{Canadian party colour|CA|PPC}}
| leader = Maxime Bernier<ref>{{cite news|title=Maxime Bernier Says He Will Lead 'People's Party of Canada'|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/09/14/maxime-bernier-peoples-party-canada_a_23527206/|accessdate=October 10, 2018|work=Huffington Post}}</ref>
| foundation = {{Date and age|September 14, 2018}}
| ideology = {{Nowrap|Conservatism<ref>{{cite news |title=Maxime Bernier officially launches new conservative People's Party |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4449706/maxime-bernier-peoples-party-launch|accessdate=14 September 2018|work=Global News}}</ref><br>Canadian nationalism<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/what-i-learned-at-a-peoples-party-of-canada-rally-107051|title=What I learned at a People’s Party of Canada rally|quote=Second, it appears that subscribers to far right ideas and beliefs may be viewing Bernier and the People’s Party of Canada as a viable pathway to mainstreaming their xenophobic and '''nationalistic''' beliefs in Canada.|work=The Conversation=19 November 2018}}</ref><br>[[Social:Populism in Canada|Canadian populism]]<ref>{{cite interview|title=Maxime Bernier on next steps for The People's Party of Canada|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/536810/maxime-bernier-lance-son-parti-populaire-du-canada|date=15 September 2018|work=Le Devoir|language=fr}}</ref><br>[[Philosophy:Classical liberalism|Classical liberalism]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Maxime Bernier's new party stakes out classical liberal values: Don Pittis |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-conservatives-people-s-1.4822178|work=CBC}}</ref><br>[[Philosophy:Libertarianism|Libertarianism]]<ref name="attention">{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/09/14/conservatives-paying-attention-to-berniers-new-party-mp-says.html|work=Toronto Star|title=Conservatives 'paying attention' to Bernier's new party, MP says|date=14 September 2018}}</ref><br>[[Social:Right-wing populism|Right-wing populism]]<ref name="attention"/>}} <br>
| headquarters = {{nowrap|205–290 St-Joseph Blvd<br/>Gatineau, QC J8Y 3Y3}}
| website = {{url|peoplespartyofcanada.ca}}
| country = Canada
| native_name = Parti populaire du Canada
| founder = Maxime Bernier
| abbreviation = PPC
| split = [[Finance:Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party of Canada]]
| position = <!-- IMPORTANT: Do not change party ideology or position without bringing reliable sources to the Talk page and garnering consensus. -->
{{Nowrap|[[Social:Right-wing politics|Right-wing]]<ref name="iPolitics5">{{cite news|last=Pinkterton|first=Charlie|date=14 September 2018|title=Maxime Bernier announces The People's Party of Canada|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2018/09/14/maxime-bernier-announces-the-peoples-party-of-canada|accessdate=14 September 2018|work=iPolitics News}}</ref><ref name="attention"/> to [[Social:Far-right politics|far-right]]<ref name=guardianOct8></ref><ref name=NationalObserverOct7></ref><ref name=TorontoStarOct9></ref>}}
| membership = {{increase}} 40,000<ref name="members">{{Cite news|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2019/08/18/peoples-party-is-berniers-long-run-plan-regardless-of-election-results |title=People's Party is Bernier's ‘long run’ plan, regardless of election results |last=Pinkerton |first=Charlie |work=iPolitics|date=August 18, 2019|accessdate=August 19, 2019}}</ref>
| membership_year = 2019
| colours = {{color box|{{Canadian party colour|CA|PPC}}}} [[Navy blue#Purple navy|Purple navy]] {{color box|red}} [[Red]]
| blank1_title = Fiscal policy
| blank1 = 
| blank2_title = Social policy
| blank2 = 
| seats2_title = House of Commons
| seats2 = {{composition bar|0|338|hex={{Canadian party colour|CA|PPC}}}}
| seats1_title = Senate
| seats1 = {{composition bar|0|105|{{Canadian party colour|CA|PPC}}}}
| parties_dab1 = List of federal political parties in Canada
| elections_dab1 = List of Canadian federal general elections
}}

The '''People's Party of Canada''' ('''PPC'''; {{lang-fr|Parti populaire du Canada}} or simply '''People's Party''') is a federal political party in Canada. The party was formed by Maxime Bernier in September 2018, shortly after his resignation from the [[Finance:Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party of Canada]]. Bernier, the Member of Parliament for Beauce and a former cabinet minister, was the party's only MP from its founding in 2018 to his defeat in the 2019 Canadian federal election. Bernier had represented the Quebec riding in Parliament from 2006, when he was elected as a Conservative.

The party has been referred to as [[Social:Conservatism|conservative]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4449706/maxime-bernier-peoples-party-launch|title=Maxime Bernier officially launches new conservative People's Party|work=Global News|access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> [[Philosophy:Libertarianism|libertarian]],<ref name="attention" /> [[Social:Populism|populist]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/maxime-bernier-launches-people-s-party-of-canada-1.4094059|title=Maxime Bernier launches People's Party of Canada|date=September 14, 2018|work=CTVNews|access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>, and classical liberal,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-conservatives-people-s-1.4822178|title=Is the People's Party of Canada liberal? It depends on the definition: Don Pittis {{!}} CBC News|last=Pittis|first=Don|website=CBC|access-date=December 16, 2018}}</ref> while being seen on the [[Social:Right-wing politics|right-wing]]<ref name="attention" /><ref name="iPolitics" /> to far-right<ref name=guardianOct8>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/08/canada-leaders-debate-justin-trudeau-puts-climate-crisis-at-heart-of-election|title=Canada leaders' debate: tarnished Trudeau puts climate crisis at heart of election|quote=<br> {{•}}The wildcard coming into the evening was Maxime Bernier, leader of the '''far-right populist party the People’s party of Canada.'''<br> {{•}}Formed amid a feud between Bernier and the Conservative party, its platform is defined by restrictive immigration politics and '''climate change denial'''.|work={{wipe|The Guardian}}=8 October 2019}}</ref><ref name=NationalObserverOct7>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/10/07/news/peoples-party-steps-spotlight-leaders-debate|title= Jagmeet Singh accuses Maxime Bernier of inciting hatred|last=Meyer |first=Carl|website=National Observer|date= October 7, 2019|accessdate=October 14, 2019|quote=... Canada’s first racialized federal party leader repeatedly squared off against the boss of the country’s newest far-right party at the English-language election debate.}}</ref><ref name=TorontoStarOct9>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/10/09/election-canada-2019-federal-debate-french-candidates-trudeau-singh-may-scheer-blanchet-bernier.html |title= Missed the French-language leaders’ debate? Replay it here |last=Tubb |first=Ed |work=The Toronto Star|date=October 9, 2019|accessdate=October 14, 2019|quote=He [Trudeau] continued attacking Scheer on the economy in an at-times chaotic three-way debate segment with the Conservative leader and far-right People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier.}}</ref><ref name=NYTOct13>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/15/world/canada/election-bernier-far-right.html |title= A ‘Mad Max’ Candidate Offers a Far-Right Jolt to the Canadian Election |last=Bilefsky |first=Dan |work={{wipe|The New York Times}}|date=October 15, 2019|accessdate=October 16, 2019|quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/what-i-learned-at-a-peoples-party-of-canada-rally-107051|title=What I learned at a People's Party of Canada rally|last=Budd|first=Brian|website=The Conversation|language=en|access-date=2019-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/canada-peoples-party-bernier-far-right_n_5daf6efce4b0f34e3a7e29af|title=Canada's Right-Wing Populist, Anti-Immigrant Party Got Crushed|last=Robins-Early|first=Nick|date=2019-10-22|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=2019-10-26}}</ref> of the traditional left-right political spectrum.<ref name="attention"/><ref name="iPolitics">{{Cite news|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2018/09/14/maxime-bernier-announces-the-peoples-party-of-canada|title=Maxime Bernier announces the People's Party of Canada – iPolitics|date=September 14, 2018|work=iPolitics|access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> The PPC formed electoral district associations (EDAs) in all of Canada's 338 ridings and ran a full slate of candidates in the 2019 federal election, but no candidate was elected under its banner and Bernier lost his bid for personal re-election in Beauce.<ref name="disappointing night g&m">{{cite news |title=People’s Party fails to gain a single seat in disappointing night for Maxime Bernier |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-federal-election-2019-ppc-fail-to-gain-a-single-seat-in-disappointing/ |accessdate=October 24, 2019 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=October 21, 2019}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Formation ===
[[File:PPC-logo-en.png|thumb|upright|Other logo of the PPC, used in some places on the website and in some party-branded apparel.]]
The People's Party of Canada was formed a few weeks after the resignation of Maxime Bernier, a former Conservative Party leadership candidate and cabinet minister, from the [[Finance:Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party of Canada]]. In his resignation speech, Bernier stated that he was leaving because "I've come to realize{{nbsp}}... this party is too intellectually and morally corrupt to be reformed." Bernier also stated that the Conservative party under opposition leader Andrew Scheer (to whom Bernier finished runner-up in the 2017 Conservative Party leadership election) had abandoned its principles on issues including [[Social:Political correctness|political correctness]], [[Finance:Corporate welfare|corporate welfare]], equalization reform and [[Finance:Supply management (Canada)|supply management]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/sfull-text-of-maxime-berniers-speech|title=Read the full text of Maxime Bernier's speech: ‘Scheer keeps talking about his positive Conservative vision. But nobody knows what that is’|date=August 23, 2018|work=National Post|access-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref> In a ''National Post'' op-ed, Bernier stated that his motive for forming the party was to reverse the [[Social:Public choice|public choice]] dynamic in the Canadian political system resulting in vote-buying and [[Social:Pandering (politics)|pandering]] by political parties. He reiterated his belief that the Conservative Party could not be reformed to end this practice, and that a new political party was required.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/maxime-bernier-why-my-new-political-movement-because-canada-has-been-hijacked|title=Maxime Bernier: Why my new political movement? Because Canada has been hijacked|date=August 31, 2018|work=National Post|access-date=September 14, 2018}}</ref>

Bernier was accused by prominent Conservative politicians such as former Prime Ministers Stephen Harper<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/08/23/stephen-harper-maxime-bernier_a_23508214/|title=Stephen Harper Calls Out Maxime Bernier As A Sore Loser|date=August 23, 2018|work=HuffPost Canada|access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref> and Brian Mulroney<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2018/09/11/berniers-departure-from-tories-will-make-it-harder-to-beat-trudeau-former-pm/|title=Bernier's departure from Tories will make it harder to beat Trudeau: former PM – iPolitics|date=September 11, 2018|work=iPolitics|access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref> of trying to divide the political right. He responded on the CBC television show ''Power & Politics'' that he wanted to focus on disaffected voters, and cited the political rise of French President Emmanuel Macron as an example.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-canadienne/201808/24/01-5194184-maxime-bernier-jaimerais-bien-etre-le-macron-canadien.php|title=Maxime Bernier: "J'aimerais bien être le Macron canadien" {{!}} Mylène Crête {{!}} Politique canadienne|date=August 24, 2018|work=La Presse|access-date=October 18, 2018|language=fr-CA}}</ref><ref name="cbc.ca">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/maxime-bernier-peoples-party-registration-1.4856793|title=Maxime Bernier files to officially register the People's Party of Canada {{!}} CBC News|work=CBC|access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=The Agenda with Steve Paikin|title=The People's Party of Canada|date=September 24, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5wu1ynnJ4M&t=890s|access-date=March 27, 2019}}</ref> Bernier later cited the breakthrough of the People's Alliance of New Brunswick in the 2018 New Brunswick election and the Coalition Avenir Québec win in 2018 Quebec elections as examples of voters' disdain for traditional political parties and expressing a desire for change by voting for new parties.<ref name="cbc.ca"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/tele/les-coulisses-du-pouvoir/site/segments/entrevue/90677/maxime-bernier|title=Le parti de Maxime Bernier prend forme {{!}} Segment {{!}} Les coulisses du pouvoir {{!}} ICI Radio-Canada.ca|last=Médias|first=Groupe des Nouveaux|website=Radio-Canada|language=fr-ca|access-date=October 19, 2018}}</ref>

Prior to his resignation from the Conservative Party, Bernier had begun reestablishing contact with individuals who had supported his 2017 Conservative leadership bid; they believed he had the necessary support to register a party with Elections Canada.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/bernier-has-enough-support-to-go-forward-with-new-party-source-says-1.4066238|title=Bernier has enough support to go forward with new party, source says|last1=Rabson|first1=Janice Dickson and Mia|date=August 24, 2018|work=CTVNews}}</ref>  ''Le Devoir'' reported that members of seven Conservative constituency associations defected to the party.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/538193/parti-progressiste-conservateur-bernier-debauche-six-presidents-d-association-au-quebec|title=Maxime Bernier débauche des organisateurs conservateurs au Québec|website=Le Devoir|language=fr|access-date=November 2, 2018}}</ref> A few days after announcing the party name, Libertarian Party leader Tim Moen, who had previously offered the leadership of that party to Bernier, stated that he was open to the idea of a merger with the People's Party.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-libertarian-party-merger-1.4827241|title=Libertarian Party considering a merger with Bernier's People's Party {{!}} CBC News|work=CBC|quote=Libertarian leader Tim Moen had offered to step aside for Bernier following the results of the 2017 Conservative leadership race and adopted Bernier's platform.}}</ref> When asked by ''Global News'', Bernier indicated he had no interest in a merger.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4464574/maxime-bernier-peoples-party-of-canada-name/|title=‘I am not a communist’: Maxime Bernier doubles down on People's Party name amid criticism|work=Global News|access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> When asked about organizing by the party, he mentioned that he would use tools that did not exist in the past, such as the use of social media.<ref name="La Presse">{{Cite news|url=http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-canadienne/201809/14/01-5196564-maxime-bernier-lance-le-parti-populaire-du-canada.php|title=Maxime Bernier lance le Parti populaire du Canada {{!}} JOËL-DENIS BELLAVANCE {{!}} Politique canadienne|date=September 14, 2018|work=La Presse|access-date=September 17, 2018|language=fr-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2018/09/13/bernier-using-social-media-to-rally-supporters-in-his-peoples-network/|title=Bernier using social media to rally supporters in his People's Network – iPolitics|date=September 13, 2018|work=iPolitics|access-date=September 20, 2018|quote=By asking his followers on [[Company:Facebook|Facebook]] and [[Company:Twitter|Twitter]] to join regional groups to form what he is calling The People's Network, Bernier is encouraging supporters to work together to start groups for their own regions.}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.cpac.ca/fr/programs/lessentiel-avec-esther-begin/episodes/64818044|title=L’Essentiel avec Esther Bégin: En voie d’être reconnu : le Parti populaire du Canada – 10 octobre 2018|website=CPAC|language=fr-FR|access-date=October 15, 2018 |quote=Bernier explains that he is using social media to fundraise in which he argues that it gives him a lower net cost than either the [[Finance:Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party]] and the Liberal Party and plans to hire an independent outside firm to investigate the candidates' backgrounds in addition to having a background check, which he argues that neither the Conservative Party or the Liberal Party do.}}</ref>

Bernier planned to run candidates in all of Canada's 338 federal ridings in the 2019 federal elections.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-statement-conserative-1.4795894|title=MP Maxime Bernier quits federal Conservatives, 'will win the next election' {{!}} CBC News|work=CBC|access-date=October 16, 2018}}</ref> The party's registration documents were officially submitted to Elections Canada on October 10, 2018.<ref name="application submitted">{{cite news |last1=Aiello |first1=Rachel |title=Maxime Bernier registers People's Party with Elections Canada |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/maxime-bernier-registers-people-s-party-with-elections-canada-1.4127997 |accessdate=October 18, 2018 |work=CTV News |date=October 10, 2018 |quote=People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier paid a visit to Elections Canada's headquarters Wednesday morning, to submit his application to register a new political party.}}</ref> In addition, he stated that electoral district associations (EDA) would be in place by December 31, 2018, and that the EDAs would start focusing on finding candidates starting in January 2019.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> On November 1, 2018 the party revealed that it had over 30,000 "founding members".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/540298/30-000-membres-chez-maxime-bernier|title=30Â 000 membres chez Maxime Bernier|website=Le Devoir|language=fr|access-date=January 21, 2019|quote=Founding members is an original member of a group }}</ref>  News sites later revealed that one of the PPC's founding members was a former American white nationalist, and that two others had ties to anti-immigration groups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5929770/former-neo-nazi-pegida-canada-official-among-peoples-party-of-canada-signatories/|title=Former neo-Nazi, Pegida Canada official among People’s Party of Canada signatories {{!}} Globalnews.ca|date= September 23, 2019|website=globalnews.ca|language=en|access-date= September 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/09/23/trois-membres-connus-de-lextreme-droite-ont-endosse-la-creation-du-parti-de-maxime-bernier|title=Trois membres connus de l’extrême droite ont endossé la création du parti de Maxime Bernier|last=QMI|first=Agence|date=|website=Le Journal de Montréal|language=French|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> The former white nationalist was removed from the party on August 29, 2019 after his past came to light. A spokesperson for the party stated that his past didn't come up during the vetting process since he came from the United States.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1279961/politique-parti-populaire-organisateur-neonazi|title=Le Parti populaire du Canada coupe les ponts avec un organisateur au lourd passé|last=Prévost|first=Hugo|date=August 29, 2019|work=Radio Canada|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> The two other members denied having racist views and the party later told Le Devoir that they did not have enough resources to vet them at the beginning of the PPC's formation. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/563242/maxime-bernier-accuse-de-fomenter-la-haine-aux-debats|title=Les liens troubles du PPC|website=Le Devoir|language=fr|access-date= September 25, 2019}}</ref>  

In November 2018, Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould said that Maxime Bernier would qualify for debates hosted by the Leaders' Debates Commission if the party nominated candidates in 90% of ridings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2018/11/22/bernier-can-join-leaders-debates-if-peoples-party-meets-nomination-threshold-gould|title=Bernier can join leaders’ debates if People's Party meets nomination threshold: Gould|last=Vigliotti|first=Marco|date=November 22, 2019|work=iPolitics|access-date=July 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2019/07/31/proposed-dates-for-federal-election-debates-set-for-second-week-of-october|title=Proposed dates for federal election debates set for second week of October|last=Lim|first=Jolson|date=July 31, 2019|work=iPolitics|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref>

The party held rallies in {{wipe|Vancouver}}, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa–Gatineau,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lactualite.com/actualites/2018/11/20/maxime-bernier-se-vante-de-faire-mieux-que-le-parti-reformiste/|title=Maxime Bernier se vante de faire mieux que le Parti réformiste|last=canadienne|first=Mélanie Marquis, La Presse|website=L’actualité|language=fr-CA|access-date=December 25, 2018}}</ref> Winnipeg,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/fledgling-party-gains-traction-in-province-501508941.html|title=Fledgling party gains traction in province|last=Thorpe|first=Ryan|date=November 28, 2018|work=Winnipeg Free Press|access-date=December 6, 2018}}</ref> Saskatoon,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/bernier-makes-pitch-for-people-s-party-in-saskatoon-1.4198728|title=Bernier makes pitch for People's Party in Saskatoon {{!}} CTV News Saskatoon|website=saskatoon.ctvnews.ca|access-date=December 25, 2018}}</ref> and Quebec City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1140404/tournee-pancanadienne-maxime-bernier-parti-populaire|title=" Le consensus, il n'y a rien de pire que ça " – Maxime Bernier|last=ICI.Radio-Canada.ca|first=Zone Politique-|website=Radio-Canada.ca|language=fr-ca|access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref> In 2019 it held rallies in Saint John and Halifax.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/bernier-looks-to-strike-some-popular-chords-during-first-east-coast-stops-1.4258077|title=Bernier looks to strike some popular chords during first East Coast stops {{!}} CTV News|website=www.ctvnews.ca|access-date=February 25, 2019}}</ref> On December 21, 2018, the party established EDAs in all 338 electoral districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4791741/maxime-bernier-peoples-party-ridings/|title=Maxime Bernier says People's Party set up in all 338 ridings ahead of 2019 election {{!}} Globalnews.ca|date=December 23, 2018|website=globalnews.ca|access-date=December 25, 2018}}</ref>

=== Registration ===
The party received its eligibility status on November 11, 2018, and was registered by Elections Canada on January 19, 2019, after nominating candidates for by-elections in Outremont, York-Simcoe, Burnaby South which were called for February 25, 2019, and Nanaimo—Ladysmith.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hilltimes.com/2018/11/21/exclusive-trudeau-will-call-remaining-elections-january-taking-place-february/177203|title=Trudeau to call remaining byelections in January, to take place in February: feds – The Hill Times|last=Times|first=The Hill|date=November 21, 2018|work=The Hill Times|access-date=November 23, 2018 |quote=For the February 25 by-elections, they announced candidates Laura-Lynn Tyler-Thompson for Burnaby South In subsequent weeks the party ran Robert Geurts for York-Simcoe on January 15 and Jamie Seale for Outremont Jennifer M. Clarke, the party candidate for Nanaimo—Ladysmith by-election was called for May 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2019/01/28/bernier-officially-into-the-fold-of-future-candidate-count-conservatives-still-tops/|title=Bernier officially into the fold of future candidate count, Conservatives still tops|last=Pinkerton|first=Charlie |date=January 28, 2019|website=iPolitics|access-date=February 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1147667/maxime-bernier-elections-canada-parti-populaire|title=Maxime Bernier obtient le feu vert d'Élections Canada|last=ICI.Radio-Canada.ca|first=Zone Politique-|website=Radio-Canada.ca|language=fr-ca|access-date=January 21, 2019}}</ref> In the February 25 by-elections, the party received 10.9% of the vote in Burnaby South and 1.5% in each of York—Simcoe and Outremont.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tasker |first1=John Paul |title=Maxime Bernier's People's Party posts mixed-bag results after its first byelection test |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/people-s-party-mixed-bag-results-1.5033489 |accessdate=April 5, 2019 |work=February 26, 2019}}</ref>

===Candidate selections, 2019 election===
Bernier told the ''National Post'' that the party would start candidate nominations for the October general election after the by-elections.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/no-corporation-is-above-the-law-maxime-bernier-on-the-snc-lavalin-scandal-and-how-he-plans-on-winning-the-october-election|title=Maxime Bernier on the SNC-Lavalin scandal – and how he plans on winning the October election |date=February 21, 2019|access-date=February 25, 2019}}</ref> On March 25, 2019, Bernier announced in a press conference that the party has opened an online search for candidates until April 23, with candidate selection meetings to follow between May 7 and 13.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2019/03/25/peoples-party-opens-online-search-for-candidates/|title=People's Party opens online search for candidates – iPolitics|first=Charlie |last=Pinkerton|access-date=March 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Global News|title=Maxime Bernier's People's Party of Canada won't 'do anything special' to attract diverse candidates|date=March 25, 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAov-MHDl8s|access-date=March 25, 2019}}</ref> In an interview on the CTV television show ''Power Play'', he said that the party planned to have their first convention on June 1 to 2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1644116|title=Power Play: One-on-one with Bernier {{!}} CTV News|website=www.ctvnews.ca|access-date=March 27, 2019}}</ref> The party held their conference from August 18 to 19, where "roughly 500 party officials took part in door knocking workshops, traditional media and social media training, debate training and mock debate."<ref name="Aug 18">{{Cite web|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2019/08/18/peoples-party-is-berniers-long-run-plan-regardless-of-election-results/|title=People's Party is Bernier's 'long run' plan, regardless of election results|last=Pinkerton|first=Charlie|date=August 18, 2019|website=iPolitics|access-date=August 19, 2019}}</ref>

In April 2019, the Vancouver Quadra district association president resigned, stating the party was an "utter free-for-all" and had been "hijacked by egomaniacs". Resignations have also occurred over accusations that the party has been infiltrated by "racist, xenophobic, homophobic and downright hateful people".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2019/04/04/mad-at-max-berniers-peoples-party-of-canada-is-revolting-in-british-columbia.html|title=Mad at Max: Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada is revolting in British Columbia|website=The Toronto Star|accessdate=April 6, 2019}}</ref> In July 2019, the entire People's Party of Canada board in Elmwood—Transcona publicly sent a resignation letter, claiming that "racists", "anti-Semites" and "conspiracy theorists" had taken over and were promoting "the closure of Canada's "physical and economic borders" and had "spread misinformation through personal and official channels".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/people-party-canada-winnipeg-elmwood-transcona-resigns-quits-1.5215988|title=People's Party board in a Winnipeg riding quits over concerns about racism|last=Froese|first=Ian|date=Jul 18, 2019|website=CBC|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=Oct 3, 2019}}</ref> They cited disillusionment towards the party's increasingly xenophobic nature and lack of focus towards economic discussion as their core reasons for resigning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728061301/https://twitter.com/ppcet/status/1151258451953233920|title=We can't be a part of the party if this is the direction it's going. We're out. #ppc #elxn43 #canpolipic.twitter.com/BFaok7bIEX|last=Elmwood-Transcona|first=PPC-|date=July 16, 2019|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=}}</ref> Steven Fletcher, PPC candidate for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, rejected the accusation, claiming the action is rooted in vindictiveness against Bernier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/people-party-canada-winnipeg-elmwood-transcona-resigns-quits-1.5215988|title= People's Party board in a Winnipeg riding quits over concerns about racism|last=Froese|first=Ian|date=July 18, 2019|website=CBC|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> The manager of the Elmwood—Transcona Facebook page responded to the criticism by stating "Our problem is not necessarily with Max [Bernier] himself, but the entire organization has deep-rooted problems." The Winnipeg South Centre EDA argued that it was normal for a party to have "people with crazy ideas and racists" and wanted to know how the party reacted to it.<ref>https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/people-party-canada-winnipeg-elmwood-transcona-resigns-quits-1.5215988</ref> Fletcher disputed their statement, stating that "they'd be kicked out pretty fast" if they held any such viewpoints, and touted the diversity of the PPC's candidates. Fletcher claimed that "some elements of the NDP and the Green Party" have "anti-Semitic viewpoints" and that there was an "anti-Quebec vibe" in online forums from "people supporting [Conservative Party leader] Andrew Scheer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5658060/peoples-party-of-canada-winnipeg-members-resign/|title=5 People's Party of Canada members resign in Winnipeg, accusing supporters of racism, anti-Semitism - Winnipeg {{!}} Globalnews.ca|date=July 19, 2019|website=globalnews.ca|access-date=August 16, 2019}}</ref>  The PPC later told Global News that the removal of the white nationalist was an example of the party taking a stand against racism. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5929770/former-neo-nazi-pegida-canada-official-among-peoples-party-of-canada-signatories/|title=Former neo-Nazi, Pegida Canada official among People’s Party of Canada signatories|last=Russell|first=Andrew|date=September 24, 2019|work=Global News|access-date=September 25, 2019|last2=Bell|first2=Stewart}}</ref>

In the 2019 Canadian federal election, Bernier lost his own seat to a Conservative, and no People's Party candidates were elected.<ref name="disappointing night g&m" /> Bernier was the only People's Party candidate to come even close to winning; he won 28.4 percent of the vote (a 20 point drop from 2015), and no other candidate won more than four percent of the vote.

The party received approximately 1.6 percent of the popular vote nationwide. According to the Canadian Press, the PPC may have cost the Conservatives some ridings, but didn't garner enough votes to affect the overall result.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Berthiaume |first1=Lee |title=Upstart People's Party had little impact on election results: Analysis |url=https://election.ctvnews.ca/upstart-people-s-party-had-little-impact-on-election-results-analysis-1.4652140 |accessdate=October 23, 2019 |work=CTV News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=October 23, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> 

<!-- === The party after the 2019 federal election === -->

== Principles and policies ==
[[File:Logo du Parti Populaire du Canada.png|thumb|French logo for the PPC]]

Bernier stated that his party is "a coalition of people who are disenchanted with traditional politicians who say one thing one day, and another the next".<ref name="La Presse"/> He mentioned that his platform would be based around the principles of freedom, responsibility, fairness, and respect.<ref name="iPolitics5" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-peoples-party-canada-1.4823647|title=Bernier faces a challenge keeping racists out of his new party, says Stockwell Day {{!}} CBC News|work=CBC|access-date=September 17, 2018}}</ref> Bernier has stated that these principles are non-negotiable,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.siriusxm.ca/peoples-party-of-canada-leader-maxime-bernier-visits-krystal-nation-on-canada-talks/|title=People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier Visits Krystal Nation|last=Canada|first=SiriusXM|date=June 26, 2019|website=SiriusXM|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref> but that members would have input on policies as they are refined,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-online-reddit-offensive-1.4828043|title=Bernier team trying to keep up with unwanted content {{!}} CBC News|work=CBC|access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> and that a candidate questionnaire asks potential candidates about which policies they want in the platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/candidate_questionnaire|title=Candidate Questionnaire|website=People's Party of Canada|access-date=August 19, 2019}}</ref>

In addition to these principles, the party would advocate for "smart populism", which Bernier defines as "populism without emotions", speaking for "all Canadians", and not appeasing "special interest groups".<ref>{{Citation|last=The Canadian Press|title=Maxime Bernier says his new party offers ‘smart populism’|date=October 11, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89mA6iJQdNE|access-date=October 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.leclaireurprogres.ca/actualite/politique/le-parti-populaire-du-canada-setend-dun-ocean-a-lautre/|title=Le Parti populaire du Canada s’étend d’un océan à l’autre – L'Éclaireur Progrès|date=November 23, 2018|work=L'Éclaireur Progrès|access-date=November 23, 2018|language=fr-FR}}</ref> Bernier has described the party as a "grassroots party".<ref>{{Citation|title=Bernier: Conservatives are 'morally and intellectually corrupt'|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpl3aRNVzm0|access-date=September 1, 2019}}</ref> He has also stated that the party is neither left-wing or right-wing, but the difference between being free and not free.<ref>{{Citation|last=numériques|first=Direction des médias|title=Entrevue avec Maxime Bernier, Table ronde : La vie après une attaque sauvage de pitbull, l'espace {{!}} Les francs-tireurs {{!}} Zone Vidéo Télé-Québec|date=October 3, 2018|url=https://zonevideo.telequebec.tv/media/41042/entrevue-avec-maxime-bernier-table-ronde-la-vie-apres-une-attaque-sauvage-de-pitbull-l-espace/les-francs-tireurs|language=fr-ca|access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> Bernier told Vassy Kapelos that the party will debate discussions that "the leadership and the caucus" did not want to have while he was a Conservative Party member,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-departure-conservatives-didn-t-tell-1.4797877|title=Bernier didn't tell anyone from the Conservative Party about his dramatic exit {{!}} CBC News|work=CBC|access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref> also stating that people who espouse racist, antisemitic, or xenophobic positions "are not welcome" in the party.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-maxime-bernier-taps-into-immigration-controversy-as-he-launches-people/|title=Maxime Bernier taps into immigration controversy as he launches People's Party of Canada|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref> A spokesperson has stated that the party does not debate the science of [[Earth:Climate change|climate change]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/maxime-bernier-believes-in-climate-change-but-defends-argument-that-co2-is-just-food-for-plants|title=Maxime Bernier believes in climate change, but defends argument that CO2 is just ‘food for plants’ {{!}} National Post|last=Politics|first=Canadian|date=November 1, 2018|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref> The party has been referred to as [[Social:Conservatism|conservative]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4449706/maxime-bernier-peoples-party-launch|title=Maxime Bernier officially launches new conservative People's Party|work=Global News|access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> [[Philosophy:Libertarianism|libertarian]],<ref name="attention" /> [[Social:Populism|populist]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/maxime-bernier-launches-people-s-party-of-canada-1.4094059|title=Maxime Bernier launches People's Party of Canada|date=September 14, 2018|work=CTVNews|access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>, and classical liberal,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-conservatives-people-s-1.4822178|title=Is the People's Party of Canada liberal? It depends on the definition: Don Pittis {{!}} CBC News|last=Pittis|first=Don|website=CBC|access-date=December 16, 2018}}</ref> while being seen on the [[Social:Right-wing politics|right]] <ref name="attention" /><ref name="iPolitics" /> to far-right<ref name=guardianOct8>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/08/canada-leaders-debate-justin-trudeau-puts-climate-crisis-at-heart-of-election|title=Canada leaders' debate: tarnished Trudeau puts climate crisis at heart of election|quote=<br> {{•}}The wildcard coming into the evening was Maxime Bernier, leader of the '''far-right populist party the People’s party of Canada.'''<br> {{•}}Formed amid a feud between Bernier and the Conservative party, its platform is defined by restrictive immigration politics and '''climate change denial'''.|work={{wipe|The Guardian}}=8 October 2019}}</ref><ref name=NationalObserverOct7>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/10/07/news/peoples-party-steps-spotlight-leaders-debate|title= Jagmeet Singh accuses Maxime Bernier of inciting hatred|last=Meyer |first=Carl|website=National Observer|date= October 7, 2019|accessdate=October 14, 2019|quote=... Canada’s first racialized federal party leader repeatedly squared off against the boss of the country’s newest far-right party at the English-language election debate.}}</ref><ref name=TorontoStarOct9>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/10/09/election-canada-2019-federal-debate-french-candidates-trudeau-singh-may-scheer-blanchet-bernier.html |title= Missed the French-language leaders’ debate? Replay it here |last=Tubb |first=Ed |work=The Toronto Star|date=October 9, 2019|accessdate=October 14, 2019|quote=He [Trudeau] continued attacking Scheer on the economy in an at-times chaotic three-way debate segment with the Conservative leader and far-right People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier.}}</ref><ref name=NYTOct13>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/15/world/canada/election-bernier-far-right.html |title= A ‘Mad Max’ Candidate Offers a Far-Right Jolt to the Canadian Election |last=Bilefsky |first=Dan |work={{wipe|The New York Times}}|date=October 15, 2019|accessdate=October 16, 2019|quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/what-i-learned-at-a-peoples-party-of-canada-rally-107051|title=What I learned at a People's Party of Canada rally|last=Budd|first=Brian|website=The Conversation|language=en|access-date=2019-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/canada-peoples-party-bernier-far-right_n_5daf6efce4b0f34e3a7e29af|title=Canada's Right-Wing Populist, Anti-Immigrant Party Got Crushed|last=Robins-Early|first=Nick|date=2019-10-22|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=2019-10-26}}</ref> of the political spectrum.

At the time of its formation the party indicated that its formal platform would be gradually unveiled, but it would generally follow the platform that Bernier ran on during his 2017 Conservative leadership campaign.<ref>{{cite web |title=Platform |url=http://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/platform |website=People's Party of Canada }}</ref> Bernier stated that the platform "will be built on facts".<ref>{{Citation|title=Maxime Bernier: 'There is no climate change urgency in this country'|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGO8ZW8OWbs|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref> Prominent platform planks include ending [[Finance:Corporate welfare|corporate welfare]] and phasing out [[Finance:Supply management (Canada)|supply management]] over a number of years to allow farmers to adapt through compensation yet "save Canadians billions of dollars annually" through lower prices. Following the launch of the party, Bernier stated in a TV interview with BNN Bloomberg that the telecom industry deregulation, increasing airline competition, reducing tax brackets and having a discussion about the privatization of Canada Post, which were key components of his original 2017 Conservative leadership platform, are all areas that he has an interest in.<ref>{{cite news |title=Airlines, telecoms, Canada Post: Maxime Bernier unveils People’s Party vision for Canada – BNN Bloomberg |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/airlines-telecoms-canada-post-maxime-bernier-unveils-people-s-party-vision-for-canada-1.1138093 |accessdate=September 15, 2018 |work=BNN |date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> He said that [[Philosophy:Social conservatism|socially conservative]] policies such as abortion and [[Philosophy:Gender identity|gender identity]] would not be part of the party platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.660citynews.com/2019/01/10/bernier-says-abortion-gender-identity-not-on-peoples-party-of-canada-platform/|title=Bernier says abortion, gender identity not on People's Party of Canada platform – 660 CITYNEWS|website=www.660citynews.com|access-date=January 10, 2019}}</ref>

=== Health care ===
The party's platform argues that "it is up to the provinces to implement reforms in line with the more efficient and less costly mixed universal systems of other developed countries. Throwing more federal money at the problem is not the right approach."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/health_care_giving_provinces_the_incentives_to_deal_with_wait_times_and_rising_costs|title=Health Care: Giving Provinces the Incentives to Deal with Wait Times and Rising Costs|website=People's Party of Canada|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> They plan to replace the Canada Health Transfer with "transfer of tax points of equivalent value to the provinces and territories" by giving up the GST revenue collected by the federal government while creating a temporary program "to compensate poorer provinces" disadvantage from the replacement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/health_care_giving_provinces_the_incentives_to_deal_with_wait_times_and_rising_costs|title=Health Care: Giving Provinces the Incentives to Deal with Wait Times and Rising Costs|website=People's Party of Canada|access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> The party claims this would create the conditions for provincial and territorial governments to innovate<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/people-s-party-under-bernier-to-champion-more-privatized-healthcare-unity-over-diversity-1.4095025|title=People's Party under Bernier to champion more privatized healthcare, unity over diversity|last=|first=|date=September 16, 2018|work=CTVNews|accessdate=September 16, 2018}}</ref> while maintaining the Canada Health Act.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/health_care_giving_provinces_the_incentives_to_deal_with_wait_times_and_rising_costs|title=Health Care: Giving Provinces the Incentives to Deal with Wait Times and Rising Costs|website=People's Party of Canada|access-date=September 1, 2019}}</ref>

=== Foreign affairs ===
The party platform argues that foreign policies should be "focused on the security and prosperity of Canadians, not an ideological approach that compromises our interests". It supports multilateralism, [[Social:Non-interventionism|non-interventionism]], [[Social:Free trade|free trade]] and [[Social:Humanitarian aid|humanitarianism]]. However, it plans to not get involved in foreign conflicts "unless we have a compelling strategic interest in doing so", to reduce Canada's {{wipe|United Nations}} presence "to a minimum", withdraw from UN commitments the party sees as threatening "our sovereignty", to accept free trade agreements that protect Canada's economy "from the threat of potentially hostile foreign investors", and phase out development aid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/06/21/news/maxime-bernier-recruits-renata-ford-he-touts-plan-denies-climate-crisis|title=Maxime Bernier recruits Renata Ford as he touts a plan that denies the climate crisis|last=Syed|first=Fatima |date=June 21, 2019|website=National Observer|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/foreign_policy_focusing_on_the_security_and_prosperity_of_canadians|title=Foreign Policy: Focusing on the Security and Prosperity of Canadians|website=People's Party of Canada|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref>

=== Environment ===
The party's platform states that "it is an undisputed fact that the world's climate has always changed and will continue to change"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49400492|title=Why Canadians won't see ads about climate change|date=August 21, 2019|access-date=August 22, 2019}}</ref> but rejects what it calls "climate change alarmism".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/chris-selley-climate-change-fracas-exposes-ridiculous-third-party-spending-rules|title=Chris Selley: Climate change fracas exposes ridiculous third-party spending rules {{!}} National Post|last=Comment|first=Full|date=August 21, 2019|access-date=August 23, 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/global_warming_and_environment_rejecting_alarmism_and_focusing_on_concrete_improvements|title=Global Warming and Environment: Rejecting Alarmism and Focusing on Concrete Improvements|website=People's Party of Canada|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref> The party plans to withdraw from the [[Earth:Global warming|global warming]] fight, abolish subsidies for green technology and scrap "the Liberal government's carbon tax", but allow the private sector and the provinces to address climate issues, and "invest [in] mitigation strategies" if negative effects result from climate change.<ref>{{Citation|last=The Rubin Report|title=Maxime Bernier: The Next Prime Minister of Canada? (Full Interview)|date=February 1, 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIu_JBlI6PU&t=7s|access-date=February 25, 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> The party's main focus would be on "implementing practical solutions to make Canada's air, water and soil cleaner".<ref>{{Citation|last=Toronto Sun|title=THE PEOPLE'S CANDIDATE: Anthony Furey's sit-down interview with Maxime Bernier|date=February 15, 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqnwdIGUAHs&t=885s|access-date=February 25, 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto"/>

===Immigration===
The party plans immigration reform, such as limiting immigration to no more than 150,000 people per year, by removing the parents and grandparents class from the [[Social:Family reunification|family reunification]] program, focusing on economic immigration through the reform of the immigration point system, making temporary foreign workers noncompetitive with "Canadian workers", and banning birth tourism.<ref name="cbc">{{cite news |title=Maxime Bernier launches the People's Party of Canada |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-peoples-party-canada-1.4823647 |accessdate=September 14, 2018 |work=CBC News |date=September 14, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bernier Proposes Building Fences To Block 'Irregular' Border Crossers|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/maxime-bernier-fence-immigration_ca_5d38f869e4b0419fd337a671 |last=Lum|first=Zi-Ann|work=HuffPost |date=July 24, 2019 |accessdate=July 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/immigration_reducing_overall_levels_and_prioritizing_skilled_immigrants|title=Immigration: Reducing Overall Levels and Prioritizing Skilled Immigrants|website=People's Party of Canada|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref> They intend that all immigrants would undergo in-person interviews with immigration officials to determine whether their values and ideas accord with Canadian "societal norms".<ref>{{cite news |title=Maxime Bernier says his party would cap immigration levels at 150K|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/maxime-bernier-immigration-speech-mississauga-1.5224114 |last=Shivji|first=Salimah·|work=CBC News |date=July 24, 2019 |accessdate=July 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Maxime Bernier vows to slash immigration and impose a values test on newcomers|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/07/24/maxime-bernier-vows-to-slash-immigration-and-impose-a-values-test-on-newcomers.html |last=Potter|first=Mitch|work=Toronto Star |date=July 24, 2019 |accessdate=July 25, 2019}}</ref> The party would declare the entire border a ''port of entry'' to make deportation easier, since new arrivals can be refused at ports of entry. They would build [[Earth:Border barrier|border fence]]s at popular ports of entry crossings for migrants, rely on private sponsorship instead of government support for funding new refugees, but prioritize those "belonging to persecuted groups barred from neighbouring countries" and sexual minorities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bernier promises to build border fences if elected PM|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/politics/bernier-promises-to-build-border-fences-if-elected-pm-1.4522382|last=Dib|first=Lina|work=CTV News |date=July 24, 2019 |accessdate=July 24, 2019}}</ref>

=== Multiculturalism ===

The party platform advocates for the cultural integration of immigrants, stating that it "enriches" Canadian society, criticizing that the government "has pursued a policy of official multiculturalism that encourages immigrants to keep the values and culture they left behind instead of integrating into Canadian society and adopting Canadian values and culture." Some of the examples that they have listed as "distinct values of a contemporary Western civilization" are "equality between men and women", "separation of state and religion", "toleration and pluralism". The party classified Justin Trudeau's comments referring to Canada as "the first post-national state, with no core identity" as a "cult of diversity". It opposes the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, remarking that Canada's government should not help immigrants preserve their cultural heritage. The party intends to "repeal the Multiculturalism Act and eliminate all funding to promote multiculturalism."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/canadian_identity_ending_official_multiculturalism_and_preserving_canadian_values_and_culture|title=Canadian Identity: Ending Official Multiculturalism and Preserving Canadian Values and Culture|website=People's Party of Canada|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5747914/peoples-party-multiculturalism/|title=People’s Party wants to axe Multiculturalism Act, eliminate funding|website=Global News|language=en|access-date=2019-10-27}}</ref>

=== Veterans ===
The party platform argues that "The government of Canada has an obligation to honour the nation's sacred commitment to our military men and women and make sure our veterans receive the support they deserve". They plan to "enshrine in legislation the country's obligations to our veterans in a Military Covenant", reinstate fair military disability pensions and reemphasize the legislative guarantee of the "Benefit of doubt" standard in the ''Pension Act,'' review the New Veterans Charter to determine which policies and programs should be retained, simplify the system and make it easier to navigate.<ref name="Aug 18"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/veterans_standing_behind_the_men_and_women_who_sacrificed_for_our_country|title=Veterans: Standing behind the men and women who sacrificed for our country|website=People's Party of Canada|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref>

==Electoral results==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: left;"
|-
|+ Electoral results
|-
! scope="col" | Election
! scope="col" | Leader
! scope="col" | Votes
! scope="col" | %
! scope="col" | Seats
! scope="col" | +/&minus;
! scope="col" | Position
! scope="col" | Government
|-
! scope="row" | 2019
| Maxime Bernier
| 291,743
| 1.6
| {{Composition bar|0|338|hex={{Canadian party colour|CA|PPC}}}}
| {{decrease}} 1 
| {{steady}} 6th
| {{eliminated|No seats}}
|}

== See also ==
* 2019 Canadian federal election
* Federal political parties in Canada
* [[Social:Populism in Canada|Populism in Canada]]
* Riding candidates for the 43rd Canadian federal election
*Canadian leaders' debates

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==


{{DEFAULTSORT:People's Party of Canada}}
[[Category:Climate change skepticism and denial]]

{{Sourceattribution|People's Party of Canada|1}}