2025 Canadian Federal Party Platforms: What Each Party is Promising

April 22, 2025
By Ron Scorsese

With Canada’s 2025 federal election on the horizon, each major political party has unveiled its vision for the country’s future. The platforms outline starkly different approaches on spending, taxes, climate policy, and social programs. Below, we break down the major promises from the Liberal, Conservative, New Democratic, Bloc Québécois, Green, and People’s Party platforms – and analyze which voters these promises are likely to appeal to. Each section ends with a look at the age and income groups that stand to benefit most from that party’s plans.

PARTY	NEW SPENDING (4 YRS)	PROJECTED DEFICIT IMPACT	KEY REVENUE MEASURES
Liberal	$130B	+$225B by 2029	Standard taxation; economic growth
Conservative	$100B (offset by $125B in savings)	Deficit reduced 70% over 4 years	$125B in savings from cuts to consultants, bureaucracy, foreign aid
NDP	$94.5B in new revenue, $48B added to deficit	+$48B over 4 years	Wealth tax, closing loopholes, consultant cuts
GREENS	$237B in transaction tax revenue, partial costing	Unclear- revenue-heavy, spending partially costed	Transaction tax, corporate & wealth taxes
BLOC	Not costed	Not disclosed	More transfers for Quebec; no federal revenue plan
PPC	Not costed	Balanced budget within 4 years (claim)	Spending cuts, end foreign aid, eliminate CBC funding

Liberal Party of Canada (Liberals)

Liberal Leader Mark Carney has released a platform centered on ambitious public investments and social programs. Key priorities include major infrastructure projects and expanding social supports, while accepting larger short-term deficits to finance these plans. Carney frames the spending as necessary “nation-building” investments, arguing that government leadership is needed to spur economic growth and tackle crises.

The Liberals propose nearly $130 billion in new spending over the next four years, funded through public investments in housing, healthcare, and infrastructure—bringing the projected federal debt increase to $225 billion by 2029.

Major Liberal Platform Promises:

Big Spending on Infrastructure and Defense: Immediately inject $35.2 billion this year to upgrade infrastructure and meet NATO targets. This includes an extra $30.9 billion for defense over four years, aiming to hit NATO’s 2%-of-GDP defense spending goal by 2030. Infrastructure funds will go toward transit, green technology, and climate-resilient projects to create jobs and modernize facilities.
Climate Action and Clean Economy: As of today, the Liberals officially commit to cancelling the federal carbon pricing system. This change is expected to save Canadians approximately 18 cents per litre on gas, delivering immediate relief at the pumps. Maintain Canada’s carbon pricing (carbon tax) framework for corporations and reinvest in clean energy. The Liberals pledge to accelerate the transition to a net-zero electricity grid by 2035 and expand incentives for electric vehicles and home retrofits. They also propose new funding for climate adaptation (flood defenses, wildfire response) and a promise to “hold big polluters accountable” through stronger emissions caps and investments in clean tech.
Housing Affordability Measures: Double down on the National Housing Accelerator Fund to spur construction of affordable homes. The Liberal plan would tie federal infrastructure dollars to housing outcomes, pushing cities to speed up development approvals. Additionally, they promise new supports for first-time homebuyers and to extend the ban on foreign home purchases to curb speculation. The Liberals pledge to double the pace of housing construction, targeting nearly 500,000 new homes per year over the next decade. The federal government will play a more active role in building housing, using public land and federal investments to jumpstart development.
Healthcare and Social Programs: Build on recent programs by introducing universal pharmacare (prescription drug coverage) in phases and expanding the dental care program that began under the Liberal-NDP agreement. The Liberals also commit to sustain $10-a-day child care agreements with provinces and explore extending them to before-and-after school care. Seniors are promised continued boosts to Old Age Security and a plan to improve long-term care standards.
Middle Class Tax Cut: The platform includes a new tax cut targeting the middle class. A two-income household could save up to $825 annually under this plan, easing cost-of-living pressures for average Canadians.
GST Rebate for First-Time Buyers: First-time homebuyers purchasing homes under $1 million will no longer have to pay the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This measure could save qualifying buyers up to $50,000, making home ownership more attainable for young families.
Expanded Dental Care Coverage: Dental care will be expanded to cover Canadians aged 18–64. The plan is expected to provide access for 4.5 million people, saving Canadians around $800 per year in dental costs and ensuring more equitable access to oral health.
Strengthening the Social Safety Net: The Liberals reaffirm their commitment to $10-a-day child care, pharmacare expansion, and support for mental health and Indigenous reconciliation. Additional funding will go to public transit, clean energy, and technology innovation as part of a broader transition to a net-zero economy.

Who Benefits / Likely Supporters: The Liberal platform’s high spending is geared toward middle-class families and younger Canadians. Parents of young children (especially ages 30s–40s) would benefit from affordable child care and potentially pharmacare, while students and new graduates gain from climate job creation and housing affordability measures. Lower- and middle-income workers stand to gain from expanded healthcare and social programs, and urban residents could see improved transit and infrastructure. Traditionally, the Liberals’ support base is broad, but these policies may resonate most with young adults and families at middle incomes who rely on public services. At the same time, the significant defense and infrastructure spending could appeal to older, higher-income Canadians in those industries. The Liberals are effectively pitching themselves as the party for those who favor active government intervention in the economy – a message likely to be well-received by voters who prioritize public services and support for the vulnerable over immediate deficit reduction.

Conservative Party of Canada (Conservatives)

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s platform is sharply focused on cost-of-living relief, tax cuts, and fiscal restraint. The Conservatives promise to make life more affordable by letting Canadians “bring home more of their paycheque,” primarily through tax reductions and by eliminating certain federal charges. Poilievre has criticized the Liberal approach as runaway spending, vowing instead to balance the budget quickly by curbing “wasteful” expenditures and boosting private-sector growth. While the full costed platform is being released in stages, the signature Conservative policy is a deep cut to income taxes for Canadians.

The Conservatives plan to reduce the federal deficit by 70% over four years, offsetting new spending by $1.50 in savings for every dollar spent, with $125 billion in projected savings to fund tax cuts and core programs.

The Conservative Party’s fully costed platform, released on April 22, 2025, outlines over $100 billion in new measures over four years. The plan projects a deficit of $31.4 billion in 2025-2026, decreasing to $14.2 billion by 2028-2029. Key proposals include a 15% income tax cut for Canadians earning approximately $57,000, resulting in savings of about $900 annually, and up to $1,800 for dual-income families. The platform also aims to build 2.3 million new homes by 2030 and eliminate the carbon tax on industry. To fund these initiatives, the Conservatives propose cutting $23 billion in government spending over four years, including reducing bureaucracy and foreign aid, and implementing counter-tariffs on the U.S., projected to generate $20 billion in revenue.

Major Conservative Platform Promises:

“Bring it Home” Income Tax Cut: A 15% reduction in the federal income tax rate on the lowest bracket (from 15% to 12.75%) would save the average worker ~$900/year and as much as $1,800/year for dual-income families. The largest proportional benefit goes to modest-income Canadians, helping to relieve cost-of-living pressure and stimulate economic activity.
Balanced Budgets and Spending Discipline: The Conservatives commit to cutting the Liberal deficit by 70% over four years. A new law would require every dollar of new spending to be matched by $1.50 in savings elsewhere. Measures include reducing federal consultants ($10 billion annually), shrinking the federal bureaucracy through attrition (not replacing 1 in 3 retirees), and cutting foreign aid by a third—especially aid sent to dictators or inefficient global programs. These changes would reduce costs while safeguarding social programs and military investments.
Axe the Carbon Tax: Poilievre’s government would eliminate the federal carbon tax on fuel to lower gas, heating, and food costs immediately. Instead of emissions pricing, the Conservatives propose incentivizing private-sector innovation. They would repeal what they call “anti-energy” laws like Bill C-69, approve pipelines and critical mineral projects, and aim for energy independence by increasing domestic oil and gas production.
Housing Affordability and Supply: The platform includes an aggressive plan to build 2.3 million homes over five years. This includes eliminating federal GST on new homes up to $1.3 million and providing federal funding to municipalities that reduce building taxes and zoning red tape—potentially cutting $100,000 from the cost of new homes. The platform also proposes selling 15% of federal real estate for development.
Law and Order: Introduce a “three strikes” policy—those convicted of three violent crimes will face life imprisonment without bail, parole, or house arrest. The platform also includes more support for police, mental health services, and addiction recovery.
National Sovereignty and Economic Growth: The Conservatives would repeal Liberal environmental laws, build pipelines and mines, and reinvest in the military to strengthen Canada’s sovereignty. A forecasted $500 billion in economic growth would come from unlocking resource and housing development. The platform proposes using that growth to fund essential programs—without raising taxes.
CBC and Public Broadcasting: Poilievre reaffirms his pledge to defund the English-language arm of CBC/Radio-Canada, calling it a cost-saving and ideological correction, while continuing to support French-language content in Quebec.

Who Benefits / Likely Supporters: The Conservative platform is tailored to working Canadians feeling squeezed by taxes and inflation. Middle-income earners and small business owners would benefit from the income tax cut and deregulation agenda. The plan especially helps those in the $50k–$100k income range and rural/suburban residents facing high fuel and housing costs. Seniors and upper-income earners may favor fiscal prudence, while younger families may find appeal in the housing reforms and affordability push. The platform is aimed at middle-class Canadians across generations who feel left behind and want a government that “lives within its means.”

New Democratic Party (NDP)

Under Jagmeet Singh, the NDP is campaigning on an unabashedly progressive platform aimed at reducing inequality and expanding public services. The New Democrats are proposing sweeping new social programs – from pharmacare to affordable housing – financed by higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy. Their plan acknowledges running larger deficits in the short term, but frames it as investing in people and “making the ultra-rich pay their fair share.” A standout feature is a plan to implement a wealth tax that would target the fortunes of Canada’s richest individuals.

The NDP platform includes over $94.5 billion in new revenue from taxes on the ultra-wealthy and corporations, aimed at funding large-scale programs like universal pharmacare, housing, and dental care—with deficits expected in the short term.

The NDP’s costed platform outlines $94.5 billion in new revenue over four years from a graduated wealth tax, which would fund major social investments including health care, pharmacare, and a worker-focused tax cut. Despite this revenue, the party estimates its commitments will add $48 billion to the federal deficit, with $42.2 billion in new spending not offset by income. Key expenditures include $46.2 billion to expand healthcare, $29.2 billion for universal pharmacare, and $48.1 billion to raise the basic personal exemption to $19,500. The NDP says these measures will improve affordability and access to services, while setting aside $4.2 billion in contingency reserves to hedge against economic uncertainty.

Major NDP Platform Promises:

Tax the Wealthy to Fund Services: The NDP platform calls for a new annual wealth tax of 1% on fortunes over $10 million, alongside closing tax loopholes for corporations. In total, the party aims to raise about $94.5 billion by taxing the extremely wealthy. This massive revenue – nearly $95 billion over several years – would help finance new social programs and a “working-class tax cut.” (Singh has proposed a tax rebate or lift in the basic personal amount for lower-income workers to give them a break.) Corporate tax rates would also be hiked modestly, and a temporary COVID windfall tax on big companies’ excess profits could be reintroduced. The message is that billionaires and big corporations should foot more of the bill for post-pandemic rebuilding.
Universal Pharmacare and Dental Care: Building on their confidence-and-supply deal with the Liberals, the NDP would swiftly enact universal pharmacare, making prescription drugs free at point of use under a national plan. They would also expand the new federal dental care program to cover all Canadians (not just low income) with no out-of-pocket costs. These health programs are central to the NDP pitch of completing Tommy Douglas’s vision for Medicare by including medicine and dental care.
Affordable Housing Mega-Investment: The New Democrats propose one of the most aggressive housing plans: construction of 500,000 affordable homes over the next decade. They pledge tens of billions for non-profit and co-op housing, geared-to-income rentals, and subsidies for first-time buyers. Measures like capping rent increases and offering rent subsidies (a “renters’ benefit”) are included to immediately ease housing stress. They also promise to extend the current foreign buyers ban and add a tax on house flippers who sell properties within a short time, aiming to cool speculation.
Climate and Jobs: The NDP’s climate platform is expansive – they would end fossil fuel subsidies immediately and redirect that money to clean energy. Singh commits to more stringent emissions targets and massive investments in renewable energy, transit, and a net-zero electricity grid by 2035, similar to the Liberals but with greater urgency. The party emphasizes creating green jobs: retraining oil and gas workers for clean-tech work, and funding thousands of new jobs in energy-efficient retrofits, solar and wind projects, and tree-planting and conservation (as part of a climate corps). The NDP also pushes for Made-in-Canada procurement to boost manufacturing jobs (for example, in electric buses and vehicles) while reducing emissions.
Health, Education, and Other Social Programs: In health care, besides pharmacare and dental, the NDP would invest heavily to recruit more family doctors and nurses, improve mental health care (with targeted funding to provinces to add counseling services under Medicare), and establish national standards for long-term care (while phasing out for-profit long-term care homes). For education, Singh has promised relief for students and graduates – including cancelling federal student loan interest (which the Liberals have already done) and looking at forgiving a portion of student debt. The platform also mentions moving toward tuition-free postsecondary education, starting by reducing tuition fees through federal transfers. On workers’ rights, the NDP supports a $20 federal minimum wage, 10 paid sick days (already achieved for federal workers), and making it easier to join a union. Finally, the party emphasizes Reconciliation: fully implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action, ensuring clean drinking water for all Indigenous communities, and legislating UNDRIP (U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) into federal law.

Who Benefits / Likely Supporters: The NDP platform is tailored to young and lower-income Canadians who feel left behind. Students and new graduates would see relief through lower tuition and debt forgiveness, while renters and urban young professionals gain from aggressive housing affordability efforts. The expansion of healthcare (pharmacare, dental, mental health) most benefits low to middle-income families and seniors who struggle with those out-of-pocket costs. Singh’s focus on workers’ benefits (like higher minimum wage and easier unionizing) naturally appeals to working-class and unionized voters. Demographically, the NDP often draws strongest support from younger adults (under 35) and those with modest incomes – groups who stand to gain from free prescription drugs, cheaper housing, and student debt relief. By contrast, higher-income and older voters who are more wary of big deficits might be less drawn to this platform. But the NDP is clearly targeting those who value robust public services and economic equality. If implemented, their proposals would most tangibly lift up lower-income Canadians of all ages, while the wealth tax and corporate taxes mean the very richest 1% would pay more. In terms of likely supporters, expect young people, renters, and those in precarious work to be among the most enthusiastic about the NDP’s promises, which explicitly aim to narrow the wealth gap.

Bloc Québécois (Bloc Québécois)

Yves-François Blanchet’s Bloc Québécois is not running to form government, but rather to champion Quebec’s interests in Ottawa. The Bloc platform emphasizes respect for Quebec’s autonomy and unique needs. Many of its promises involve securing more federal resources for Quebec or pushing policies that align with Quebec values (such as language protection and a greener economy). Blanchet has framed the federal government as “mostly a failure” for Quebec and is campaigning for “all powers for Quebec” in areas of provincial jurisdiction. In practice, the Bloc’s platform is a list of demands it would seek in a minority Parliament in exchange for support, rather than a governing agenda for all of Canada.

While not aiming to govern federally, the Bloc’s platform includes increased federal transfers to Quebec and sector-specific spending, without outlining national fiscal impacts or a full costing plan.

Major Bloc Platform Promises:

Unconditional Health Transfers: The Bloc’s top demand is a substantial increase in federal health funding sent to provinces with no strings attached. Blanchet insists Ottawa should cover 35% of provincial healthcare costs (up from around 22% now), which for Quebec would mean billions in new funding for its hospitals and health system. Unlike other parties that tie health dollars to reforms, the Bloc would push for the money to be transferred with no federal conditions, respecting Quebec’s jurisdiction over healthcare.
Quebec Control over Immigration: The Bloc calls for greater provincial control over immigration levels and selection. Blanchet has argued that Quebec should have the sole power to decide who immigrates to the province in order to protect the French language and address regional labor needs. He’s even floated the idea of increasing immigration to Quebec (contrary to some expectations) if Quebec can choose immigrants who speak French, to help sustain the population and workforce. In short, the Bloc wants Ottawa to transfer immigration selection powers entirely to Quebec (beyond the current Canada-Quebec Accord) and respect any immigration caps Quebec sets.
Climate and Energy: The Bloc Québécois platform is green-leaning. It opposes any new oil pipelines on Quebec territory and supports ending federal subsidies for fossil fuels. Blanchet advocates for massive investments in clean energy – especially hydroelectricity (a Quebec strong suit) and public transit. The Bloc would push the federal government to help fund Quebec’s public transit expansions (like Montreal’s REM network extensions) and electric vehicle infrastructure. They also support stricter emissions targets nationally. Essentially, the Bloc aligns with many environmental goals of the left, but always with a lens that policies should not penalize Quebec (which has a lower-emission electricity grid) while Alberta’s oil industry, in their view, gets leniency.
French Language and Bill 21: As defenders of Quebec’s language and secularism laws, the Bloc platform demands Ottawa stay out of provincial language policy. Blanchet wants the federal government to recognize French as the common language of Quebec, applying Bill 101 (Quebec’s French language charter) to federally regulated businesses in Quebec. The Bloc also defends Quebec’s Bill 21 (secularism law banning religious symbols for certain public servants), vowing to oppose any federal attempt to challenge it. In practical terms, they seek guarantees that federal services in Quebec operate in French first.
Targeted Support for Quebec Priorities: The platform includes a variety of Quebec-specific asks: more support for supply-managed farmers (dairy, poultry) to compensate for trade deals, federal funding for Quebec’s high-speed rail projects, and enhanced protection for Quebec culture in broadcasting (implementing quotas for French content on platforms). The Bloc also proposes increasing Old Age Security for seniors – a policy that would benefit Quebec’s large senior population – and boosting the Quebec pension plan. On Indigenous issues, the Bloc supports reconciliation measures that align with Quebec’s approach, and on foreign policy, they often prioritize trade that benefits Quebec industries (like aerospace and aluminum) while remaining dovish on military engagements.

Who Benefits / Likely Supporters: The Bloc Québécois platform is crafted for Quebec voters (francophones in particular). Its promises would directly benefit Quebec’s population across age groups – for example, more health funding aids everyone from seniors to young families in Quebec’s hospitals, and greater immigration control is pitched as benefiting Quebec society as a whole. In terms of specific groups: Quebec’s elderly would welcome higher pension and OAS supplements, farmers in supply-managed sectors would benefit from Bloc advocacy for their compensation, and environmentally conscious Quebecers may appreciate the Bloc’s strong climate stance. The Bloc’s base tends to be francophone Quebecers of various ages who are nationalist but not necessarily outright separatist. That includes many rural and small-town voters in Quebec (who have backed the Bloc to defend agriculture and local industries) as well as urban francophones who prioritize French language protections. Income-wise, Bloc supporters can range widely – the unifying factor is more regional identity than class. Quebecers who feel Ottawa doesn’t understand Quebec’s needs are the Bloc’s target audience. Thus, the platform’s benefits – from autonomy in immigration to unconditional funding – are framed as ensuring Quebec’s distinct society gets what it deserves. Voters outside Quebec are unlikely to support or benefit from these policies, but inside Quebec, the Bloc appeals to those who want a strong voice solely for Quebec’s interests in any federal minority government.

Green Party of Canada (Greens)

Led by co-leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, the Green Party’s 2025 platform is, unsurprisingly, environment-first and socially progressive. The Greens aim to differentiate themselves with bold climate policies that they say the bigger parties won’t touch, alongside promises of social justice such as a guaranteed income. While the Greens have yet to release a fully costed platform, their website and statements outline a vision of transformative change – essentially “go big or go home” on climate, and a shift toward a more sustainable, equitable economy.

The Greens propose transformative climate and social investments, including a guaranteed livable income and free post-secondary education, acknowledging higher short-term deficits with the goal of long-term savings and sustainability.

The Greens were the first party to release a partially costed platform, with several major proposals independently reviewed by the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO). Key revenue measures include a 0.2% tax on financial transactions—expected to raise $32 billion in its first year and $237 billion over five years—and a wealth tax similar to the NDP’s, along with increased corporate taxes, together projected to bring in $163.5 billion. While not all programs have been costed, major commitments include phasing out fossil fuel production by 2045, eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, investing in renewable energy and a national green grid, and raising the federal minimum wage to $21/hour. The Greens frame their fiscal plan as ambitious yet grounded in long-term economic transformation, aiming for climate resilience and equity, even amid global economic uncertainty.

Major Green Platform Promises:

Emergency-Level Climate Action: The Greens call for treating climate change as a true emergency. They would stop all new fossil fuel projects – no new oil or gas drilling, coal mines, or pipelines. Existing oil production would be wound down responsibly, with heavy investment to transition workers to green jobs. The party wants to end fossil fuel subsidies immediately and redirect those billions into renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. In place of fossil fuel expansion, the Greens plan to “hold big polluters responsible for the climate damage they cause” by enforcing strict emission limits. They advocate science-based carbon budgets to ensure Canada meets targets aligned with a 1.5°C warming limit. Carbon pricing would remain and potentially increase for industry.
Clean Energy and Transit Revolution: The Green platform pushes for a rapid shift to 100% renewable electricity. They propose a modern national power grid to connect provinces and maximize clean power use (for example, enabling hydro from Quebec to replace coal in other provinces). They also champion major investments in public transit and intercity rail. One promise is to create a permanent federal public transit fund by 2026, which cities could even use to cover operating costs – aiming to eventually make transit far more accessible. The Greens want zero-carbon public transit nation-wide by 2040. Another headline goal: ban sales of new gasoline vehicles by 2030, a decade earlier than the Liberal mandate of 2040. To accelerate electric vehicle adoption, Greens would exempt EVs from federal sales tax and massively expand charging infrastructure.
Biodiversity and Water Protection: In addition to climate, the Greens emphasize the ecological crisis. Elizabeth May often highlights the global mass extinction of species. The platform includes commitments to protect 30% of Canada’s land, freshwater, and oceans by 2030 (30×30 initiative) and to invest in Indigenous-led conservation. They propose creating a new National Parks agency focused on expanding protected areas and a dedicated national emergency response agency to handle climate disasters (floods, wildfires) with trained staff in communities across Canada. Strict enforcement of polluter-pays principles for water pollution and tougher regulations on toxic chemicals also feature in their plan.
Social Justice: Guaranteed Livable Income & Services: On the social front, a centrepiece is the Green promise of a Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI) for all Canadians. This would ensure every individual has a basic income floor (the amount is to be determined regionally based on the cost of living). The GLI is meant to eliminate poverty and replace patchwork programs with a single universal benefit. Additionally, the Greens support universal pharmacare and dental care (much like the NDP), higher funding for affordable housing, and free post-secondary education. They also pledge to cancel student debt above a certain threshold, recognizing education as a right. These policies, while ambitious in cost, reflect the Green emphasis on quality of life and reducing inequality alongside saving the environment.
Indigenous Rights and Governance: The Green Party explicitly commits to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in full. They say they will respect Indigenous title and decision-making on development projects – meaning if an Indigenous community says no to a mine or pipeline, it should not proceed. The platform also talks about ensuring Indigenous communities have equitable funding for services, and backing Indigenous-led conservation initiatives (such as Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas). Internally, Greens propose reforms to Canada’s governance, such as proportional representation voting (to replace first-past-the-post) and stronger government ethics and transparency rules – ideas that align with their push for a more inclusive democracy.

Who Benefits / Likely Supporters: The Green platform would benefit Canadians who prioritize environmental sustainability – in the long run, everyone benefits from climate action, but in tangible near-term terms: urban commuters would see better transit and incentives for EVs, and workers in oil & gas regions would see new training and jobs in clean energy if the plan succeeds. The proposed Guaranteed Livable Income most directly aids low-income Canadians of working age (18–64) who might fall through the cracks of current welfare programs – it would provide them financial stability. Also, students and young adults would gain from student debt cancellation and free college, while families would benefit from pharmacare and dental care additions. The Greens traditionally attract younger voters (under 40) and those with higher environmental consciousness, often in urban or suburban areas. By income, their supporters range from low-income idealists to higher-income environmentally minded professionals. Policies like basic income and free education clearly target the financially insecure and youth. Meanwhile, the aggressive climate policies appeal to climate-conscious Canadians across age groups, particularly those disillusioned with the pace of Liberal/NDP action. In Quebec and B.C., where Green support has been notable, this platform might draw educated middle-class voters who value both social justice and the environment. Overall, the Greens are pitching themselves to Canadians who want transformative change – likely resonating with young, progressive, and environmentally focused voters, as well as those in precarious economic situations who would directly benefit from a livable income guarantee.

People’s Party of Canada (PPC)

Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party, running to the right of the Conservatives, has a platform built on shrinking federal involvement and promoting individual freedom. The PPC promises a dramatic break from status quo policies: it questions high immigration levels, rejects carbon taxes and stringent climate measures, and opposes what it calls “woke” or identity politics initiatives. With a smaller support base, the PPC isn’t forming government, but its platform is aimed at pushing the policy conversation rightward. Bernier emphasizes personal responsibility, freer markets, and a vision of Canada that rolls back many recent Liberal initiatives.

The PPC vows to balance the budget within four years by drastically reducing spending, including eliminating foreign aid, corporate subsidies, and federal support for the CBC, though detailed costing is not provided.

Major PPC Platform Promises:

Reduced Immigration Levels: The PPC argues that Canada’s current immigration target (around 500,000 newcomers per year) is unsustainable. They propose to sharply reduce immigration – potentially to about 150,000 immigrants per year – focusing on skilled immigrants and those who adopt “Canadian values.” This policy is framed as easing pressure on housing, healthcare, and social cohesion. Bernier says fewer immigrants would make integration easier and protect job opportunities for Canadians, although this stance is highly controversial in multicultural Canada.
No Carbon Tax & Pro-Oil Policies: The People’s Party flatly opposes carbon pricing or cap-and-trade. They would abolish the federal carbon tax and any associated carbon rebates. On climate, the PPC diverges from other parties by downplaying the urgency – Bernier has criticized climate “alarmism” and would likely withdraw Canada from the Paris Accord commitments. The platform calls for unleashing Canada’s oil and gas industry: approve pipelines like Energy East (to Quebec) and Trans Mountain expansion, encourage oil drilling, and build new refineries. The PPC accepts the idea of climate change but prioritizes economic growth and adaptation over emission cuts. They argue Canada’s contribution to global emissions is small and shouldn’t undermine our energy sector.
Balanced Budget via Cuts: The PPC is very hawkish on deficits. Bernier promises to balance the federal budget within the first mandate, mainly by cutting government spending. The PPC would target what it sees as unnecessary expenditures: eliminating foreign aid (except disaster relief), scrapping federal subsidies for businesses (corporate welfare), and defunding the CBC (pulling all public funding for the national broadcaster). They would also likely reduce the federal bureaucracy and merge or eliminate certain departments to save money. The idea is a much smaller federal government focusing on core services, which in PPC’s view will allow tax reductions down the line.
Pandemic and “Freedom” Policies: Born out of opposition to COVID-19 restrictions, the PPC continues to champion personal freedoms. The platform opposes vaccine mandates and any future lockdowns, pledging to defend Canadians’ rights to refuse medical measures. They also oppose digital ID or centralized health tracking initiatives (which they fear could infringe privacy). Additionally, Bernier’s party is against Bill C-11 and C-18 (recent Liberal laws on internet content and news) on grounds of free speech – a PPC government would repeal any law seen to limit online expression or impose speech codes. This extends to campuses: the PPC supports academic freedom and would pull federal funding from universities that don’t protect free speech.
Other Policies: The PPC platform touches on various issues with a libertarian-populist bent. They would uphold gun owners’ rights – repealing what they consider illogical firearm bans and instead focusing on crime. On healthcare, the PPC supports provincial experimentation and would not increase health transfers without reform; Bernier even suggests exploring private delivery options to improve care (a stance most parties avoid). The PPC is also unique in promising to phase out supply management (the system that controls dairy and poultry prices), believing it unfairly raises Canadian food prices. Culturally, they oppose official multiculturalism policy, arguing the government should not fund culturalism and instead promote a unifying Canadian identity. Taken together, the PPC promises are about distinguishing the party as a voice for those dissatisfied with both Liberal and Conservative approaches.

Who Benefits / Likely Supporters: The PPC’s platform appeals to a niche but fervent segment of voters – often middle-income Canadians, especially in rural or resource-rich areas, who feel overtaxed and value individual liberties. Farmers and consumers could benefit from ending supply management (through potentially lower dairy prices), though it might hurt supply-managed farmers – a tradeoff the PPC is willing to make for free-market principles. Those who opposed COVID mandates (some of them younger and middle-aged adults) align with the PPC’s freedom stance. If immigration is reduced, theoretically workers in sectors with wage competition might feel they benefit, but this is contentious. The party’s staunch low-tax, low-spending approach might attract higher-income individuals and small business owners who want minimal government interference. Demographically, PPC supporters skew middle-aged and male, according to polls, and often do not have university degrees. They tend to be people who feel the main parties are all the same and want a more radical reduction in government. In terms of age: younger libertarians and some older voters who are anti-establishment could both find a home in the PPC. It’s a diverse mix bound by dissatisfaction with traditional politics. While the PPC platform doesn’t promise new benefits to specific groups (in fact, it cuts programs), it promises ideological benefit: more personal freedom and less “government overreach.” Thus, its support is likely to come from voters of moderate incomes who prioritize freedom, free markets, and nationalism, rather than from those expecting direct financial benefits.