The Pseudo-Populism of Canada’s New Right
Pierre Poilievre talks like a class warrior, but his policies serve the C-suite. A new book digs into the ideology and elite backing behind his faux-populist, anti-government movement.
Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, speaks to members of the media following a federal leaders’ debate in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on April 16, 2025. (Graham Hughes / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Over the course of the last few years, Pierre Poilievre has taken control of Canadian conservatism, reshaping the right in the image of his Milton-Friedman-inspired orthodoxy. He has persuaded many Canadians that he represents working class interests — and that his radical program of tax cuts, lean-government, and deregulation will improve their lives.
In The Poilievre Project: A Radical Blueprint for Corporate Rule, journalist Martin Lukacs traces the origins of Poilievre’s rise and appeal, and warns what a Conservative government under his leadership could mean for Canada.
David Moscrop
What is the “Poilievre Project?”
Martin Lukacs
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