Maxime Bernier

Bernier was born in Saint-Georges, Quebec, the son of Doris (Rodrigue) and Gilles Bernier, a well known radio host, who represented the riding of Beauce from 1984 to 1997, first as a Progressive Conservative and then as an independent.{{cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/dan-delmar-maverick-maxime-bernier-unites-parts-of-quebec-and-of-the-west|title=Dan Delmar: Maverick Maxime Bernier unites parts of Quebec and of the West|last1=Delmar|first1=Dan|date=February 14, 2017|access-date=February 16, 2017|work=The Gazette|location=Montreal}}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EKZDAQAAIAAJ|title=The Canadian Parliamentary Guide|date=January 1, 1996|publisher=P. G. Normandin|access-date=October 31, 2016|via=Google Books}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nosorigines.qc.ca/GenealogieQuebec.aspx?genealogy=Doris_Rodrigue&pid=316402&lng=en|title=Genealogy Doris Rodrigue|access-date=October 31, 2016}} In a 2010 interview with John Geddes, Bernier said he respects his father as a Mulroney-era politician, but tries not to emulate his style.{{cite web|url=http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/how-do-they-get-away-with-it/|title=How do they get away with it?|date=December 10, 2010|work=Maclean's|access-date=April 27, 2017}} Bernier has stated that his views were shaped from his upbringing in Beauce to his life experiences. He is the second oldest child and has two sisters, Brigitte and Caroline, and a brother, Gilles Jr. In his teens, Bernier played football as a member of the Condors, the team of the Séminaire St-Georges, that won the Bol d'Or in 1980 at the Olympic Stadium.

Bernier obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Université du Québec à Montréal, completed his law degree at the University of Ottawa and was called to the Quebec Bar in 1990, of which he is still a member.

For 19 years, Bernier held positions in law, several financial and banking fields, such as working as a lawyer at McCarthy Tétrault,{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/maxime-bernier-the-albertan-from-quebec-1.3306995|title=Maxime Bernier, the 'Albertan from Quebec'|date=March 3, 2017|access-date=March 3, 2017|publisher=CTV | quote=Bernier mentioned to CTV News that it was his decisions to keep their lives private}} rising up to become branch manager at the National Bank, the office of the Securities Commission of Québec as Director of Corporate and International Relations, an adviser (handling fiscal reform) from 1996 to 1998 in the office of Bernard Landry—Quebec's finance minister and Deputy Premier of Quebec at the time—and Standard Life of Canada as the Vice-President of Corporate Affairs and Communication. He also served as Executive Vice-President of the Montreal Economic Institute, a Quebec free-market think tank, where he authored a book on tax reform.{{cite web|title=Biographie « Le blogue de Maxime Bernier [Biography « Maxime Bernier's blog]|url=http://www.maximebernier.com/en/biographie/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203035305/http://www.maximebernier.com/biographie|archive-date=February 3, 2013|url-status=dead|publisher=Maxime Bernier|access-date=October 8, 2012}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.iedm.org/725-maxime-bernier|title=Maxime Bernier|website=IEDM|date=June 15, 2005 |access-date=30 December 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://fcpp.org/files/1/126%20Maxime%20Bernier.pdf|title=Conversations from the Frontier|date=May 19, 2010|access-date=May 5, 2018}}

In 2005, Bernier became the Conservative candidate for Beauce in the 2006 federal election. Stephen Harper had asked Bernier's father to re-enter politics, and the latter suggested that his son should run instead. Bernier won 67 per cent of the vote, the largest majority for a Conservative politician outside Alberta.{{cite web|title=History of Federal Ridings since 1867|url=https://lop.parl.ca/About/Parliament/FederalRidingsHistory/hfer.asp?Include=Y&Language=E&rid=36&Search=Det|access-date=December 18, 2017}} His ties to Beauce{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/voters-in-maxime-berniers-hometown-say-they-like-the-man-more-than-the-conservatives|title = Voters in Maxime Bernier's hometown say they like the man more than the Conservatives}} and his support for provincial jurisdictions (which was endorsed by former Social Credit party leader Fabien Roy) were factors in his win. Some political pundits believed Bernier's ideas led to the unexpected Conservative breakthrough in Quebec during the election.{{cite news|url=http://vigile.quebec/L-Albertain-du-Quebec|title=L'Albertain du Québec|trans-title=The Albertan of Quebec|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602231322/http://vigile.quebec/L-Albertain-du-Quebec|archive-date=June 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/maxime-bernier-quebec-needs-to-embrace-canada |title=Maxime Bernier: Quebec needs to embrace Canada |work=National Post |date=May 20, 2014 |access-date=January 6, 2021}}

File:Assignment - OS 2006 1201 190 - Office of the Secretary (Carlos Gutierrez) with Canadian Minister Maxime Bernier (40 CFD OS 2006 1201 190 DSC8888.jpg, meets with US secretary of commerce, Carlos Gutierrez, June 2006]]

Bernier was a high-profile new MP from Quebec; on February 6, 2006, he was appointed Minister of Industry and minister responsible for Statistics Canada. As the Minister of Industry, he also served as the Registrar General.{{cite news|title=More Quebec MPs named to cabinet than expected|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/more-quebec-mps-named-to-cabinet-than-expected-1.598096|access-date=April 15, 2014|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=February 6, 2006}} During his time as Industry Minister, Bernier started reformation of the telecommunications industry, particularly on local phone service.{{cite news|title=CRTC gives thumbs-up to telecom complaints agency|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/crtc-gives-thumbs-up-to-telecom-complaints-agency-1.666808|access-date=January 6, 2021|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=December 22, 2006}}{{cite news|title=Conservatives overrule CRTC on regulation of internet phones|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/conservatives-overrule-crtc-on-regulation-of-internet-phones-1.574182|access-date=October 8, 2012|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=November 15, 2006}}{{cite news|title=Ottawa accelerates deregulation of local phone service|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa-accelerates-deregulation-of-local-phone-service-1.591377|access-date=October 8, 2012|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=December 11, 2006}} Professor Richard J. Schultz from McGill University lauded his attempt to deregulate the telecommunications industry, calling him "the best Industry Minister in 30 years, without challenge".{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/letters/just-wondering-about-bernier/article959481/|title=Just wondering ... about Bernier|access-date=December 27, 2016|work=The Globe and Mail|date=May 28, 2008}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.maximebernier.com/professor_schultz_s_take_on_my_telecom_reform|title=Professor Schultz's take on my telecom reform|work=Maxime Bernier – English|access-date=15 June 2018}} James Cowan from Canadian Business, called Bernier's tenure "a golden age" for Canadian business policy.{{Cite news|url=http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blogs-and-comment/a-conservative-war-on-business-james-cowan/|title=A Conservative war on business|date=October 24, 2013|work=Canadian Business|access-date=17 November 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blogs-and-comment/james-moore-industry-minister/|title=Why James Moore is the right choice for Industry Minister|date=July 15, 2013|work=Canadian Business – Your Source For Business News|access-date=17 November 2017}}

On August 14, 2007, Bernier was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Peter MacKay, who became the Minister of National Defence. During the beginning of his tenure, Bernier's personality and charm received praise among foreign dignitaries.{{cite news|title=Who's Maxime Bernier? From Separatist And Scandal To Tory Leadership Front-Runner (Part 1)|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/05/19/maxime-bernier-conservative-leadership-part-1_n_16689768.html|access-date=May 24, 2017|work=HuffPost|date=May 19, 2017}}

File:The Canadian Foreign Minister, Mr.Maxime Bernier meeting with the Union Minister of External Affairs, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, in New Delhi on January 12, 2008.jpg with Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of External Affairs for India, 2008]]

In May 2008, it was revealed that, one month earlier, Bernier inadvertently left a confidential briefing book at the home of his girlfriend, Julie Couillard.{{cite news|title=Canadian foreign minister Maxime Bernier resigns over secret document row|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/canada/2036929/Canadian-foreign-minister-Maxime-Bernier-resigns-over-secret-document-row.html|date=27 May 2008|newspaper=The Telegraph}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/bernier-quits-cabinet-post-over-security-breach-1.723124|title=Bernier quits cabinet post over security breach: Foreign affairs minister departs ahead of ex-girlfriend's TV interview|publisher=CBC News|date=May 26, 2008}} While Prime Minister Stephen Harper originally defended Bernier,{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/harper-shrugs-off-new-concerns-about-minister-s-ex-flame-1.745542|title=Harper shrugs off new concerns about minister's ex-flame|date=May 26, 2008|access-date=March 9, 2013|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}} he ultimately accepted Bernier's resignation on May 26, 2008 saying, "It's only this error. It's a very serious error for any minister. The minister immediately recognized the gravity of that error." The incident made Bernier rethink his political career and he decided to avoid taking government information out of his parliamentary office in future.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTjLSHSx6Pg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/iTjLSHSx6Pg |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=FULL INTERVIEW: Maxime Bernier|last=Strombo|date=February 3, 2012|access-date=October 31, 2016|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

Recalling his tenure as foreign minister, Bernier felt unsatisfied due to the Prime Minister's Office controlling the portfolio, making it harder for him to implement his views on Canadian foreign policy.

Six days before the 2008 election, Couillard released a book which was supposed to reveal Bernier's confidential opinions such as his personal objection to Canadian involvement in the Iraq War.{{Cite web|url=https://westernstandard.blogs.com/shotgun/2008/10/re-stephen-harp.html|title=The Shotgun: Maxime Bernier agrees with Harper: "Iraq war was a mistake"|website=westernstandard.blogs.com|access-date=7 January 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://omny.fm/shows/the-andrew-lawton-show/maxime-bernier-on-the-conservative-party-leadership|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004190405/https://omny.fm/shows/the-andrew-lawton-show/maxime-bernier-on-the-conservative-party-leadership|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 October 2017|title=Omny.fm|date=October 4, 2017|access-date=7 January 2019}} The English version peaked at No. 6 on La Presse{{'}}s bestseller list while the French version reached No. 5. However, the book was viewed negatively by some of Bernier's constituents.{{Cite news|url=http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/elections-federales/200810/10/01-28191-julie-ou-maxime-la-beauce-a-choisi.php|title=Julie ou Maxime, la Beauce a choisi|first=Isabelle|last=Hachey|date=October 10, 2008|work=La Presse|access-date=15 January 2018|language=fr-CA}} He was re-elected with 62 per cent of votes, and was made chair for the National Defense Select Committee.{{Cite web|url=https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/People/Profile?personId=3817#fedExp|title=Profile – Bernier, Maxime|website=lop.parl.ca|access-date=15 January 2018}}

In 2009, Bernier started a blog and spent the next four years travelling across Canada to discuss political issues.{{Cite news|url=http://www.macleans.ca/politics/how-mad-max-bernier-went-from-comic-relief-to-tory-front-runner/|title=How 'Mad Max' Bernier went from comic relief to Tory front-runner|date=April 6, 2017|work=Maclean's|access-date=31 October 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/maxime-bernier-wants-to-have-an-adult-conversation/article4183261/|title=Maxime Bernier wants to have an adult conversation|date=October 17, 2010|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|access-date=January 6, 2021}} Bernier's speeches were criticized by Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Raymond Blanchard and Tom Mulcair,{{Cite news|url=http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/magical-maxime/|title=Magical Maxime|date=February 9, 2011|work=Maclean's|access-date=18 November 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.lapresse.ca/debats/editoriaux/andre-pratte/201004/21/01-4272867-bernier-bashing.php|title=Bernier bashing {{!}} André Pratte {{!}} André Pratte|date=April 22, 2010|work=La Presse|access-date=18 November 2017|language=fr-CA}} but praised by Andrew Coyne, Warren Kinsella, and André Pratte.{{Cite news|url=http://www.macleans.ca/general/spoken-like-a-true-conservative-spoken-like-a-true-conservative/|title=Spoken like a true Conservative – Macleans.ca|date=April 26, 2010|work=Maclean's|access-date=18 November 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://warrenkinsella.com/articles/speaking-for-canada/|title=Speaking for Canada|website=warrenkinsella.com|date=February 14, 2011|access-date=18 November 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/from-fringes-to-frontrunner-maxime-berniers-long-road-to-redemption/article34979999/|title=From fringes to front runner, Maxime Bernier's long road to redemption|newspaper=Globe & Mail|access-date=18 November 2017}}

In September 2010, after Bernier's Quebec colleagues pushed for the federal government to invest $175 million in the Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City, Bernier opposed the proposed project and a feasibility study by Ernst & Young. He stated the proposal made little financial sense.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/maxime-bernier-breaks-ranks-on-arena-funding/article1379775/|title=Maxime Bernier breaks ranks on arena funding|last=Taber|first=Jane|date=September 10, 2010|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|access-date=October 8, 2012}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/bernier-condemns-proposed-federal-funding-of-quebec-arena/article4328930/|title=Bernier condemns proposed federal funding of Quebec arena|access-date=9 September 2018}} The government later decided against the investment.{{Cite news|url=https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/harper-strongly-defends-decision-not-to-fund-quebec-city-arena-1.619630|title=Harper strongly defends decision not to fund Quebec City arena|last=Ouellet|first=Martin|date=March 16, 2011|work=Montreal|access-date=9 September 2018}} He later revealed that his colleagues were furious because they wanted to use the investment to "Buy votes".{{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=9 September 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://lactualite.com/politique/2017/05/11/la-metamorphose-de-maxime-bernier/|title=La métamorphose de Maxime Bernier|last=Castonguay|first=Alec|work=L'actualité|access-date=9 September 2018|language=fr-CA}}

It was rumoured that Conservative Party insiders wanted Bernier to become leader of the Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ) party if Stephen Harper's preferred choice, Mario Dumont, became Quebec lieutenant, and that Bernier was considering a leadership run.{{Cite web|url=http://lautjournal.info/20080115/lalliance-dumont-harper|title=L'alliance Dumont-Harper {{!}} L'aut'journal|website=lautjournal.info|date=January 15, 2008 |language=fr|access-date=15 November 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/keith-beardsley-maxime-berniers-latest-quebec-gambit|title=Keith Beardsley: Maxime Bernier's latest Quebec gambit|date=April 20, 2010|work=National Post|access-date=15 November 2017}} In 2009 there was a movement to draft Bernier for ADQ leadership. Bernier called the attention flattering, but declined to run.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2009/02/09/adq_members_hope_to_woo_maxime_bernier.html|title=ADQ members hope to woo Maxime Bernier|date=February 9, 2009|work=CTVNews|access-date=25 October 2017}}

File:The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism, Dr. K. Chiranjeevi at a bilateral meeting with the Minister for Tourism, Canada, Mr. Maxime Bernier, in New Delhi on February 26, 2013.jpg in New Delhi, February 2013]]

On May 18, 2011, Bernier was appointed as Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism),{{cite web|url=https://www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/Maxime-Bernier(35309)/Roles|title=The Honourable Maxime Bernier – Roles – House of Commons of Canada: All Roles|publisher=Parliament of Canada}} a junior ministerial post. Bernier did not enjoy being bound by the principle of cabinet solidarity, and disliked being named to a minor department, but accepted the role out of deference to his colleagues and to regain credibility via a return to the cabinet. Bernier later said he also accepted the position because he felt he did not accomplish enough in his career and expressed a desire to end the budget deficit.

His responsibilities were expanded with his appointment on July 15, 2013 as Minister of State (Small Business, Tourism, and Agriculture). During this time, he led the Red Tape Reduction Commission, which created a rule that for every regulation added another one has to be cut.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/video-feds-to-cut-red-tape-for-small-business/article1356282/?from=4197491|title=Video: Feds to cut red tape for small business|website=The Globe and Mail}}

On November 20, 2015, Bernier was appointed by interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose as Critic for Economic Development and Innovation. He resigned on April 7, 2016 to run in the Conservative Party's leadership election.

In March 2016 Bernier introduced a motion to require Bombardier executives to explain, to the Industry Committee, the reasoning for the federal government to bail them out. Bernier argued Bombardier should restructure itself rather than seek public funds. Justin Trudeau's Liberal government blocked Bernier's motion.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/liberals-vote-down-tory-move-to-force-bombardier-execs-to-testify-at-committee-1.2809435|title=Liberals vote down Tory move to force Bombardier execs to testify at committee|date=March 8, 2016|publisher=CTV News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFNxZnNjb5U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/ZFNxZnNjb5U |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=The Mark Steyn Show with Maxime Bernier|date=March 23, 2017 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

At a conservative conference in March 2016, Bernier said that China has "less government and more freedom" than Canada; a video of the speech was later circulated by the Broadbent Institute's Press Progress.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntMlw6QRalA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/ntMlw6QRalA |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=Maxime Bernier: China has "less government and more freedom" than Canada|website=YouTube |date=March 29, 2016}}{{cbignore}} Bernier said that he was referring to economic freedom, not political freedom, and said that his remarks should not be construed to suggest that he supported Chinese dictatorship.{{cite web|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2016/04/05/maxime-berniers-china-comments-continue-to-confuse/|title=Maxime Bernier's China comments continue to confuse|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=February 25, 2017}}

On April 7, 2016, Bernier filed his nomination to be a candidate in the 2017 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election,{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/04/07/quebec-mp-maxime-bernier-officially-enters-conservative-leadership-race.html|title=Quebec MP Maxime Bernier officially enters Conservative leadership race – Toronto Star|website=Toronto Star|date=April 7, 2016|access-date=October 31, 2016}} saying that he was running to promote his views and ideas on four principles: freedom, responsibility, fairness, and respect.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/bernier-begins-marathon-race-for-conservative-leaderhip/article30024376/|title=Maxime Bernier begins marathon race for Conservative leadership|access-date=21 September 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/video/2545105/conservative-mp-maxime-bernier-discusses-ways-party-can-regain-public-trust|title=Conservative MP Maxime Bernier discusses ways party can regain public trust|date=February 27, 2016|work=Global News}}

In May 2016, Bernier broke from his Conservative colleagues on supply management, the Canadian agricultural system in which a form of insurance is granted to farmers. He said that there was no way to reconcile the Canadian system with his "free-market principles".{{cite news |title=Maxime Bernier parts ways with Conservative policy on supply management |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-supply-management-dairy-egg-poultry-1.3609113 |publisher=CBC |date=31 May 2016}}

After the Conservative Party decided to remove the traditional definition of marriage from their constitution, Bernier was one of few leadership contenders to march in the Toronto Pride Parade.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservative-contenders-gay-pride-1.3659699|title='Turning the page': Tory leadership contenders to march in Pride parade|publisher=CBC News|last=Tasker|first=John Paul|date=July 2, 2016|access-date=7 January 2019}}

Bernier campaigned on smaller government, lower taxes, paying down the national debt, increasing investments, increase pipeline developments, and opening up markets. He proposed balancing the budget within two years, reduce the number of tax brackets from five to three, and increase basic exemption from $11,474 to $15,000 being paid by "boutique" tax credits. He proposed abolishing capital gains taxes, and lowering corporate taxes to 10% by getting rid of corporate welfare. Bernier also campaigned on phasing control of the Canada Health Transfer to the provinces for health care by replacing it with a health transfer point system.{{cite web|url=http://www.maximebernier.com/tax_plan_speech|title=Tax Plan Speech|website=Maxime Bernier|access-date=2016-09-21|archive-date=September 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929171817/http://www.maximebernier.com/tax_plan_speech|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/o-leary-praises-bernier-won-t-rule-out-leadership-run-1.3126041|title=O'Leary praises Bernier, won't rule out leadership run|work=ctvnews.ca|date=October 23, 2016|access-date=October 25, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-ivison-mad-max-berniers-income-tax-plan-shows-hes-crazy-like-a-fox |title=John Ivison: Mad Max Bernier's income tax plan shows he's crazy like a fox |publisher=National Post |date=2016-10-06 |access-date=2024-06-13}}{{cite news|author=Joël-Denis Bellavance |url=http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/201601/28/01-4944696-energie-est-coderre-ne-parle-pas-au-nom-de-la-majorite-estime-maxime-bernier.php |title=Énergie Est: Coderre ne parle pas au nom de la majorité, estime Maxime Bernier |newspaper=La Presse |publisher=Lapresse.ca |date=2016-01-28 |access-date=2017-04-25}}

He supported the decriminalization/legalization of marijuana,{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/marijuana-leadership-bernier-leitch-ambrose-1.3527691 |title=Tory leadership race sparks issue of marijuana legalization |publisher=CBC News |date=2016-04-16 |access-date=2017-07-08}} wants to allow MPs to vote their conscience, and get rid of omnibus bills.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/05/15/maxime-bernier-announces-tory-leadership-campaign-as-race-begins-to-heat-up.html|title=Maxime Bernier announces Tory leadership campaign as race begins to heat up – Toronto Star|work=thestar.com|date=May 15, 2016|access-date=July 13, 2016}} He opposed a "Canadian values" test on the basis that it is logistically ineffective to fight terrorism. He proposed abolishing the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission, privatizing Canada Post Corporation, phasing out supply management on dairy and poultry,{{cite news|author1=Annett, Evan|author2=Alam, Mayaz|title=Who's running for the Conservative leadership? Read the list of candidates|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservative-leadership-candidates-list/article33632355/?reqid=382d783f-73ce-47f8-a265-7f9bfde64a87|publisher=The Globe and Mail|date=January 17, 2017|access-date=January 17, 2017}} and expanding free trade.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/who-s-running-for-the-conservative-leadership-1.2984537|title=Who's running for the Conservative leadership?|work=ctvnews.ca|date=July 12, 2016|access-date=September 1, 2016}}{{cite tweet|user=MaximeBernier|author=Maxime Bernier|number=847064546783191040|date=March 29, 2017|title=Am in favour of trade with China but not at our security's expense. Very reckless reversal of decision. Is this gov…}} He also proposed ending inter-provincial trade barriers.{{cite web|author=Maxime Bernier |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/maxime-bernier/lets-get-atlantic-canada-_b_14632356.html |title=Let's Get Atlantic Canada Out Of Its Have-Not Status |publisher=Huffingtonpost.ca |date=2017-02-07 |access-date=2017-04-25}}{{cite web |url=http://www.maximebernier.com/cfta_deal_is_pathetic_says_bernier |title=CFTA Deal Is Pathetic, Says Bernier |publisher=Maxime Bernier |date=2017-04-08 |access-date=2017-04-25 |archive-date=April 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412213624/http://www.maximebernier.com/cfta_deal_is_pathetic_says_bernier |url-status=dead }}

He also wanted to "break" Quebec's maple syrup cartel and wanted to allow foreign ownership for the airline industry. He wants to "streamline the process for hiring specialized workers abroad", put more emphasis on economic immigration, "slightly reduce" family reunification class immigration, put more emphasis on privately sponsored refugees and fewer government sponsored, and reform temporary foreign worker programs.{{cite news|author=Canada |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com//news/politics/conservative-partys-fortunes-hinge-on-immigration-policy/article33535266/?click=sf_globe |title=Conservative Party's fortunes hinge on immigration policy |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=2017-01-06 |access-date=2017-04-25}} Bernier believes first nation communities need to be consulted before the Indian Act needs to be "abolished, or changed."{{cite news|last1=Morin|first1=Philippe|title=In Yukon, Maxime Bernier suggests changing or scrapping Indian Act|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/maxime-bernier-yukon-1.3991246|access-date=February 21, 2017|publisher=CBC News|date=February 20, 2017}} He opposed federal control overreaching into other jurisdictions.{{cite news|last1=Bernier|first1=Maxime|title=This Is The Worst Reason To Have Strong Federal Ministers|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/maxime-bernier/federal-government-money_b_14201230.html|access-date=April 6, 2017|publisher=CBC News|date=April 6, 2017}} He also campaigned on stricter foreign aid standards and phase out development aid.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/861926467877 |title=Westmount abuse settlement, Maxime Bernier, AI poker player (Part 1) |publisher=CBC Player |date=2017-01-24 |access-date=2017-04-25}}{{cite tweet|user=MaximeBernier|author=Maxime Bernier|number=823713993399398400|date=January 24, 2017|title=$117M spent on Afghan education system that may have been embezzled. We should phase out development aid -->…}}

Nathan Giede of the Prince George Citizen wrote that Bernier was "the living reincarnation of all Laurier's good ideas and Dief the Chief's pan-Canadian optimism".{{Cite web|url=http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/opinion/columnists/i-ll-take-the-bernier-1.9718623|title=I'll take the Bernier|last=Giede|first=Nathan|website=Prince George Citizen|date=February 8, 2017 |access-date=7 January 2019}} In the Times Colonist, Bernier stated, "They can call me a fiscal conservative, they can call me a conservative who believes in freedom, they can call me reasonable libertarian, call me anything you want—call me Max, call me Maxime, call me 'Mad Max'."[http://www.timescolonist.com/for-bernier-freedom-s-just-another-word-for-why-he-s-going-t-win-leadership-1.14278582#sthash.PK98YrlQ.dpuf] {{dead link|date=July 2018}} Occasionally, he displayed a sense of humour which helped him gain voters' attention.{{Cite news|url=http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2017/02/02/quand-maxime-bernier-fait-dans-lhumour|title=Quand Maxime Bernier fait dans l'humour|last=Turcotte|first=Marc-Antoine|work=Le Journal de Montréal|access-date=15 January 2018|language=fr-CA}}{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/foes-mock-mad-max-bernier-over-photoshopped-tory-leadership-ad-if-people-laugh-even-better|title=Foes mock 'Mad Max' Bernier over photoshopped Tory leadership ad: 'If people laugh — even better'|date=October 5, 2016|work=National Post|access-date=15 January 2018}} William Watson argued in the National Post that although some of Bernier's policies were reflective of the role "rugged individualism" played in Canada's past, and may have played a role in his loss, they could also affect Canada's future.{{Cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/william-watson-maxime-bernier-scored-a-big-victory-even-if-he-narrowly-lost-the-conservative-race|title=William Watson: Maxime Bernier scored a big victory, even if he narrowly lost the Conservative race|date=May 29, 2017|work=Financial Post|access-date=3 December 2017}} Stanley Hartt, who was chief of staff to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, found Scheer's victory not "stirring" and suggested that Scheer should have taken ideas from Bernier's economic platform, which Hartt praised.{{Cite web|url=https://www.macdonaldlaurier.ca/new-conservative-leader-should-be-open-to-new-ideas-stanley-hartt-for-inside-policy/|title=New Conservative leader should be open to new ideas: Stanley Hartt for Inside Policy|date=August 29, 2017|publisher=Macdonald-Laurier Institute|access-date=24 March 2018}}

File:Maxime Bernier & Andrew Scheer.jpg in Ottawa, several days after the Conservative leadership election concluded, May 2017]]

Bernier achieved unexpectedly high levels of support, finishing a close second in the 13th and final round of voting on May 27, 2017, taking 49.05 per cent of the vote to Andrew Scheer's 50.95 per cent.{{cite news|title=News Special: Conservative Leadership Convention 2017|publisher=CBC Television|date=May 27, 2017}}{{cite news |title=Scheer wins Conservative leadership race: results by ballot |url=https://www.hilltimes.com/2017/05/27/conservative-leadership-race-results-ballot/108523 |work=The Hill Times |date=May 27, 2017}} A few days after the results, Michael Chong, another leadership candidate, argued that both his and Bernier's campaigns represented "real change, significant change" to the party but felt they wanted the status quo.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/michael-chong-conservative-leadership-wellington-halton-hills-mp-1.4179567|title=Michael Chong back on the farm 1 month after Conservative leadership loss|publisher=CBC News|access-date=25 October 2017}}

On August 31, 2017, Bernier was re-appointed critic for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada by Andrew Scheer.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/scheer-shadow-leitch-poilievre-analysis-wherry-1.4268757|title=A closer look at Andrew Scheer's team of shadows: Aaron Wherry|publisher=CBC News|access-date=17 November 2017}}

After it was revealed that the 2015 Conservative campaign team knew about sexual assault allegations against former Conservative MP Rick Dykstra, on January 31, 2018, Bernier publicly demanded answers as he was heading towards a caucus meeting into the handling of the nomination{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/quebec-mp-maxime-bernier-demands-answers-from-tories-on-rick-dykstra-affair-1.3783366|title=Quebec MP Maxime Bernier demands answers from Tories on Rick Dykstra affair|date=January 31, 2018|work=CTVNews|access-date=19 June 2018}} as did Conservative MP Brad Trost, who tweeted in favour of Bernier statement. After the meetings, Scheer reversed his previous decision.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/andrew-scheer-rick-dykstra-investigation-1.4512888|title=Scheer orders investigation into Dykstra candidacy following sexual assault allegation {{!}} CBC News|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=19 June 2018 |quote =Scheer said he could not speak to "decisions made by past campaign teams"}} and called for a third-party investigation.

Bernier intended to publish a book, Doing Politics Differently: My Vision for Canada. In April 2018, he pre-released a chapter on his publisher's website explaining why he made the abolition of Canada's supply management system an issue during the leadership campaign.{{Cite news|url=http://www.maximebernier.com/my_chapter_on_supply_management|title=My chapter on supply management|work=Maxime Bernier – English|access-date=14 June 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614072210/http://www.maximebernier.com/my_chapter_on_supply_management|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.beaucemedia.ca/maxime-bernier-publiera-livre-cet-automne/|title=Maxime Bernier publiera un livre cet automne – Beauce Média|date=January 10, 2018|work=Beauce Média|access-date=15 January 2018|language=fr-FR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615055745/https://www.beaucemedia.ca/maxime-bernier-publiera-livre-cet-automne/|archive-date=June 15, 2018|url-status=dead}} The chapter referred to Quebec's dairy farmer lobby as "fake Conservatives" because they opposed his abolition of the supply management policy and supported Scheer's candidacy.{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/andrew-coyne-tories-cry-foul-as-maxime-bernier-spills-the-beans-er-milk-on-leadership-race#comments-area|title=Andrew Coyne: Tories cry foul as Maxime Bernier spills the beans, er, milk on leadership race|date=April 12, 2018|work=National Post|access-date=14 June 2018}}{{Cite news|url=http://plus.lapresse.ca/screens/52ae5ea0-68d4-4424-a1e8-9c5b6eef9574__7C___0.html|title=Bernier prédit la fin de la gestion de l'offre – La Presse+|date=April 10, 2018|work=La Presse+|access-date=3 September 2018|language=fr-CA}} However, in deference to his Conservative colleagues who saw the chapter as an attack on Scheer, Bernier agreed to postpone publication of the book indefinitely for the sake of party unity, while also saying that the book was not about his leadership campaign, but about important ideas.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-scheer-leadership-book-1.4625038|title=Bernier pulls book that accuses Scheer of using 'fake Conservatives' to win leadership|publisher=CBC News|access-date=14 June 2018}} He later told the Toronto Star in an email that he defended his comments and that the book would someday be published.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/04/26/bernier-stands-by-comments-that-scheer-won-the-tory-leadership-thanks-to-fake-conservatives.html|title=Bernier stands by comments that Scheer won the Tory leadership thanks to 'fake Conservatives'|work=Toronto Star|access-date=14 June 2018}}

On June 12, 2018, Scheer dismissed Bernier from the Official Opposition shadow cabinet, saying that Bernier had violated his pledge to delay publication of the book by posting the chapter on his website on June 5, after it had been removed from the publisher's website. Bernier denied that he broke the pledge, saying that the published excerpts had previously been publicly released on his publisher's website.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/bernier-s-lack-of-loyalty-not-supply-management-behind-demotion-scheer-1.3972050|title=Bernier's lack of loyalty, not supply management, behind demotion: Scheer|date=June 13, 2018|publisher=CTV News|access-date=14 June 2018}} During an At Issue panel after Bernier's demotion, Chantal Hebert was critical of Bernier decision to publish the chapter, Coyne found Bernier to be a victim of "a political setup" and Paul Wells thought Scheer was being "paranoid".{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1256205379999|title=U.S.-Canada trade war, Maxime Bernier gets demoted|date=June 14, 2018|website=The National}} On June 15, Bernier stated in an interview that he believed his stance on supply management was the real reason behind his dismissal, not his decision to post the chapter.{{Cite news|url=https://www.leclaireurprogres.ca/maxime-bernier-attribue-expulsion-cabinet-fantome-a-position-gestion-de-loffre/|title=Maxime Bernier attribue son expulsion du cabinet fantôme à sa position sur la gestion de l'offre – L'Éclaireur Progrès|date=June 18, 2018|work=L'Éclaireur Progrès|access-date=19 June 2018|language=fr-FR}}

In a series of Twitter posts in August 2018, Bernier garnered attention for criticizing Prime Minister Trudeau's comments about "diversity is our strength".{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4385065/maxime-bernier-twitter-diversity-justin-trudeau/|title=Maxime Bernier slams Justin Trudeau's 'cult of diversity' in Twitter rant|date=August 13, 2018|work=Global News|access-date=August 17, 2018|agency=The Canadian Press}} He later tweeted that naming a park in Winnipeg after Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was an example of "extreme multiculturalism".{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pakistani-canadian-senator-maxime-bernier-tweet-1.4786506|title=Andrew Scheer joins caucus members in condemning Bernier's 'identity politics'|last=Tasker|first=John Paul|date=August 15, 2018|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=16 September 2019}} The tweets were broadly seen as divisive and inflammatory with calls for him to be reprimanded or removed from caucus such as John Ivison.{{Cite news|url=https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/john-ivison-justin-trudeau-blows-dog-whistle-on-conservative-xenophobia/wcm/68d9edaa-e461-4713-8ea9-5f612f15b394|title=John Ivison: Justin Trudeau blows dog-whistle on Conservative xenophobia|date=August 21, 2018|work=Calgary Herald|access-date=27 September 2018}} However, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer stated Bernier "speaks for himself" amid calls for Bernier to be expelled from the party's caucus.{{cite web | title=Scheer says he won't discuss 'caucus dynamics' as calls grow for Bernier to be booted | website=CBC News| date=2018-06-13 | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-maxime-bernier-politics-division-1.4787529 | access-date=2021-08-28}} Scheer later claimed that he did not use identity politics to gain support; which Bernier issued a series of tweets counter-arguing the point.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-scheer-bernier-spat-over-identity-politics-comes-a-week-before/|title=Conservatives tell MP Maxime Bernier to 'play on the team' in midst of spat over identity politics|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=August 16, 2018|last1=Stone|first1=Laura}} Others such as Mathieu Bock-Côté,{{Cite news|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2018/08/18/maxime-bernier-au-pays-des-fous|title=Maxime Bernier au pays des fous|last=Bock-Côté|first=Mathieu|work=Le Journal de Montréal|access-date=27 September 2018|language=fr-CA}} Lise Ravary{{Cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/lise-ravary-its-not-racist-to-question-multiculturalism-in-canada|title=Lise Ravary: It's not racist to question multiculturalism in Canada|date=August 20, 2018|work=The Gazette|location=Montreal|access-date=27 September 2018}} and Neil Macdonald{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/maxime-bernier-tweets-1.4792134|title=Maxime Bernier is challenging orthodoxy. He deserves a civil reply: Opinion|publisher=CBC News|access-date=27 September 2018}} defended his comments by writing op-eds to counter arguing critics. While, Tom Walkom,{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/11/13/mad-max-is-proving-hes-a-political-force.html|title=Mad Max is proving he's a political force|website=Toronto Star|date=November 13, 2018|access-date=14 December 2018}} Deborah Levy{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.4731083/maxime-bernier-s-former-chief-of-staff-lauds-his-courage-for-quitting-the-conservatives-1.4731085|title=Maxime Bernier's former chief of staff lauds his 'courage' for quitting the Conservatives {{!}} CBC Radio|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=6 September 2018|quote=Levy, who was his chief of staff and daughter of Jewish immigrants referred to multiculturalism as a reasonable accommodation within democracy}} and Andre Valiquette{{Cite web|url=http://plus.lapresse.ca/screens/bc2670f4-cdb5-4ca4-a815-3475e81b60aa__7C___0.html|title=Les planètes pourraient s'aligner pour Bernier|date=November 11, 2018|website=La Presse+|language=fr|access-date=14 December 2018}} found his critique common within mainstream Quebec. In his resignation speech, Bernier, had an issues with Scheer's response, and later clarified that he wanted to have a conversation about "ethnic division".{{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=24 August 2018}} When asked about his tweets by Question Period, he responded by stating "Instead of always promoting the diversity in our country, why not promote what unites us. That's the most important."{{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|date=September 16, 2018|work=CTVNews|access-date=20 September 2018}} Commentator Colby Cosh later wrote that Bernier had previously praised ethnic diversity, while also "objecting to its elevation to cult status".{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/colby-cosh-how-a-leftist-mob-handed-mad-max-a-pre-election-gift|title=Colby Cosh: How a 'leftist mob' handed Mad Max a pre-election gift|newspaper=National Post|first=Colby|last=Cosh|date=August 27, 2019|access-date=16 September 2019}}

{{main|People's Party of Canada}}

File:People's Party of Canada logo 2021.png

On August 23, 2018, Bernier announced that he was leaving the Conservative Party with the intention of founding a new political party.Althia Raj, [https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/08/23/maxime-bernier-quits-conservatives-new-party_a_23508059/ Maxime Bernier Quits Andrew Scheer's Conservatives To Form His Own Federal Party], Huffington Post (August 23, 2019).{{cite news |title=Maxime Bernier quits the Conservative Party – and wants to start his own |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4404246/maxime-bernier-conservative-party-controversy/ |access-date=August 23, 2018 |work=Global News |date=August 23, 2018}} He held a press conference at which he declared that the Conservative Party was "too intellectually and morally corrupt to be reformed", and was afraid to address important issues or articulate a coherent philosophy.{{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|publisher=CBC News|access-date=29 October 2018}} Former Conservative prime ministers Stephen Harper and Brian Mulroney criticized his departure. Harper suggested that Bernier was a sore loser,{{cite web | last=Lum | first=Zi-Ann | title=Stephen Harper Calls Out Maxime Bernier As A Sore Loser | website=HuffPost | date=2018-08-23 | url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/stephen-harper-maxime-bernier_ca_5cd56246e4b07bc729779ed4 | access-date=2024-07-21}} while Mulroney said that Bernier's creation of a new party would split the vote and make it more likely that Trudeau's Liberals would win the 2019 election.{{Cite web|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|last=Johnson|first=Kelsey|date=September 11, 2018|website=iPolitics|access-date=7 January 2019}} Conversely, Bernier's decision was praised as courageous by columnist Christie Blatchford.{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/christie-blatchford-i-like-bernier-who-has-the-courage-to-go-his-own-way|first=Christie|last=Blatchford|author-link=Christie Blatchford|title=I like Bernier, who has the courage to go his own way|work=National Post|date=August 24, 2018|access-date=7 January 2019}} In a National Post op-ed, Bernier stated that his establishment of a new party aimed to reverse what he called a "public choice dynamic" in Canadian politics, that led to vote-buying and "pandering" by the main political parties.{{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=10 September 2018}}

On September 14, 2018, Bernier announced the creation of the People's Party of Canada,Amanda Connolly, [https://globalnews.ca/news/4449706/maxime-bernier-peoples-party-launch/ Maxime Bernier officially launches new conservative People's Party], Global News (September 14, 2018). saying the party would advocate for "smart populism", which he defined as policies based on principles of freedom, responsibility, fairness, and respect.{{Cite web|publisher=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 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/89mA6iJQdNE |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|access-date=29 October 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news|url=https://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|first=Joël-Denis|last=Bellavance|date=September 14, 2018|work=La Presse|access-date=29 October 2018|language=fr-CA}} Bernier positioned the People's Party to the right of the Conservative Party;Alex Boutilier, [https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/01/21/bernier-officially-registers-peoples-party-and-sees-a-fundraising-bump.html Bernier officially registers People's Party and sees a fundraising bump], The Star (January 21, 2019). the party has been variously described as conservative, libertarian, right-wing populist,{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/10/02/can-canada-ward-off-a-populist-surge-228874|title=Can Canada Ward Off a Populist Surge?|magazine=Politico Magazine|first=Richard|last=Warnica|date=October 2, 2019}}{{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=September 14, 2018}}{{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=13 November 2018}} classical liberal,{{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 |author=Don Pittis|work=CBC News|date=September 17, 2018|access-date=16 December 2018}} far-right,{{refn|{{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|access-date=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.}}{{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|access-date=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.}}{{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=The New York Times|date=October 15, 2019|access-date=October 16, 2019}}{{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|date=November 19, 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-10-26}}{{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}}}} and alt-right.{{cite news|last=Kamel|first=Zachary|date=8 February 2019|title=Maxime Bernier's alt-right problem|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/02/08/maxime-berniers-alt-right-problem.html|access-date=17 May 2019|work=The Star News}}{{cite web |url=https://nationalpost.com/feature/federal-election-2019-liberals-conservatives-ndp-green-ppc-bq|title=How the 2019 federal election became a vote for nothing|last=Brean|first=Joseph|date=October 21, 2019|website=National Post|access-date=December 7, 2019|quote="Maxime Bernier, leader of the upstart alt-right People's Party of Canada."}} In December 2018, some of its founding signatories were shown to have ties to American white nationalist and anti-immigrant groups.{{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}}{{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|agency=Agence QMI|website=Le Journal de Montréal|date=September 23, 2019 |language=fr|access-date=September 25, 2019}} The party later told Le Devoir that they did not have enough resources to vet them at the beginning of the PPC's formation.{{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|date=September 24, 2019|language=fr|access-date= September 25, 2019}}

Campaigning in advance of the 2019 Canadian federal election, Bernier and his chief strategist, Martin Masse, aligned the People's Party with the anti-immigrant European New Right, calling for steep cuts to immigration to Canada and criticizing multiculturalism. His focus on issues like cutting immigration marked a change in his public profile that contrasted with his earlier focus (with the Conservative Party) on free-market economic libertarian stances such as telecom monopolies and deregulation. Bernier also proposed reductions in federal income tax, called for a reduction of the federal role in healthcare and the replacement of the Canada Health Transfer, and proposed the replacement of the Indian Act. He was the only leader of a party represented in the House of Commons to reject the scientific consensus on climate change.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/environment-groups-warned-climate-change-real-partisan-1.5251763 |title=Environmental groups were warned that some climate change ads could be seen as partisan during election period |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=CBC News |date=August 19, 2019 |access-date= August 28, 2019}}{{cite news |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 |work=National Observer |date=June 21, 2019 |access-date= August 22, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/global_warming_and_environment_rejecting_alarmism_and_focusing_on_concrete_improvements |title=Peoples Party Platform – Global Warming and Environment: Rejecting Alarmism and Focusing on Concrete Improvements |work=People's Party of Canada |year=2019 |access-date=August 23, 2019 |archive-date=May 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505145746/https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/global_warming_and_environment_rejecting_alarmism_and_focusing_on_concrete_improvements |url-status=dead }} He said he would do "nothing" to deal with climate change, and that Canada should withdraw from the Paris Agreement on carbon emissions.{{cite news|url=https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/elections/federal/2019/party-platforms/|publisher=CBC News Interactives|date=2019|title=Canada Votes 2019: How do the main parties compare on these issues?}} On September 2, 2019, Bernier posted a series of tweets in which he called Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg "mentally unstable". On September 4, after receiving widespread backlash, Bernier backpedaled.{{Cite news|last=Zimonjic|first=Peter|date=2019-09-04|title=Bernier walks back 'mentally unstable' attack on Greta Thunberg — then calls activist a 'pawn'|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-climate-greta-thuberg-1.5270902|access-date=2021-09-22}}

Bernier and the PPC struggled in the election. Their affiliations with and support from the far-right were received negatively and the party never surpassed five per cent in national polls; Bernier himself fared poorly in debates and had the lowest net favourability rating among leaders, at -36.{{cite web | last=Ling | first=Justin | title=How Maxime Bernier Lost His Seat | website=Foreign Policy | date=2019-10-20 | url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/20/canada-maxime-bernier-populism-peoples-party/ | access-date=2024-07-21}} In his riding of Beauce, he faced Conservative candidate Richard Lehoux, a fourth-generation dairy farmer and past president of the Fédération Québécoise des Municipalités.{{cite news |title=The battle for Maxime Bernier's riding |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5785159/the-battle-for-maxime-berniers-riding/ |publisher=GLOBAL NEWS |date=24 August 2019}} He lost over 20 points compared to 2015, finishing with 28.3 per cent to Lehoux's 38.6 per cent, with the Bloc Québecois and Liberals finishing a distant third and fourth, respectively. Nationally, Bernier was the only PPC candidate to come within sight of being elected; no other candidate won more than six per cent of the vote, and the party as a whole won only 1.6 per cent of the popular vote. When Andrew Scheer resigned as Conservative Party leader in December, Bernier stated he would not be interested in returning.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/scheer-conservative-leadership-contenders-1.5393809 |date=12 December 2019 |first=Kathleen |last=Harris |title=Who's next? Conservative speculation about Scheer's replacement breaks into the open |quote=Bernier confirmed today he has no interest in running for the Conservative leadership again.}}

After the election, he announced the YouTube series with the English title The Max Bernier Show and French title Les nouvelles de Maxime.{{cite web |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1491120/maxime-bernier-parti-populaire-canada-election-complementaire-campagne-electorale-thibeault |title=Maxime Bernier prépare déjà sa prochaine campagne |language=fr |date=25 January 2020 |first=Daniel |last=Thibeault |quote=Cette tribune, c'est une chaîne YouTube que lancera le Parti populaire le mois prochain. Produit dans le sous-sol de sa maison, qu'il a converti en studio de télévision, Les nouvelles de Maxime (The Max Bernier Show en anglais) sera diffusé une fois par semaine.}} In February 2020, he launched a lawsuit alleging defamation by Warren Kinsella for branding him a racist, on behalf of the Conservative Party, during the 2019 election.{{cite news |work=National Post |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/peoples-party-leader-maxime-bernier-sues-political-pundit-for-defamation |title=Maxime Bernier says pundit Warren Kinsella branded him a racist, sues for defamation |first=Michelle |last=McQuigge |date=5 February 2020 |quote=In his statement of claim, Bernier says those descriptions damaged his reputation and subjected him to public scandal and embarrassment.}} The lawsuit sought an admission of defamation and $325,000 in damages. In November 2021, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice dismissed the lawsuit, based on Ontario's Anti-SLAPP legislation, determining that it was not proven that the defamation concerns outweighed the importance of protecting free speech.{{cite news |last1=Curry |first1=Bill |title=Bernier order to pay $132,000 in legal costs after failed defamation case over Project Cactus |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-maxime-bernier-ordered-to-pay-132000-in-legal-costs-after-failed/ |access-date=15 March 2022 |date=14 March 2022 |publication-date=5 March 2022 |location=Toronto |page=A2}} Bernier was ordered in February 2022 to pay $132,000 in legal costs to Kinsella.

Bernier announced his intention to run in a by-election when seats became vacant from the resignations of Bill Morneau and Michael Levitt over the summer of 2020.{{cite news |title=Maxime Bernier plans to run in a Toronto-area byelection |url=https://ipolitics.ca/2020/09/01/maxime-bernier-plans-to-run-in-a-toronto-area-byelection/ |access-date=September 2, 2020 |work=iPolitics |date=September 1, 2020}} He confirmed his candidacy for Levitt's former Toronto riding of York Centre shortly after the date of the October 26, 2020 by-election was announced.{{cite news |last1=Benzie |first1=Robert |title=Maxime Bernier, Marci Ien running in two Toronto byelections called for Oct. 26 |url=https://www.wellandtribune.ca/ts/politics/provincial/2020/09/18/justin-trudeau-calls-two-toronto-byelections-for-oct-26.html |access-date=September 19, 2020 |work=Welland Tribune |date=September 18, 2020}} He finished fourth with 642 votes (3.56 per cent).{{cite news |title=Federal Liberals hold onto Toronto Centre, York Centre in byelections |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/byelections-toronto-centre-york-centre-results-1.5777436 |access-date=October 27, 2020 |work=CBC News |date=October 26, 2020}}

Bernier was strongly critical of public health measures undertaken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, having travelled to anti-lockdown protests throughout the country in 2021. On April 17, he spoke to several hundred people in Barrie, Ontario, despite being discouraged from doing so by the mayor and the area's city councillor.{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Kim|date=2021-04-15|title=PPC leader Maxime Bernier to attend anti-lockdown rally in Barrie, Ont.|url=https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/mobile/ppc-leader-maxime-bernier-to-attend-anti-lockdown-rally-in-barrie-ont-1.5388812|access-date=2021-04-16|website=CTV News Barrie|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Bruton|first=Bob|date=2021-04-14|title=Bernier's presence at 'freedom rally' planned for Saturday lambasted|url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/berniers-presence-at-freedom-rally-planned-for-saturday-lambasted-by-lehman-aylwin-3633871|access-date=2021-04-16|website=BarrieToday|language=en}} He and MPP Randy Hillier were both ticketed for their participation in a rally in Peterborough on April 24 for violating the Reopening Ontario Act.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7822953/covid-19-7-more-charged-in-anti-lockdown-protest-in-peterborough-featuring-hillier-bernier/|title=COVID-19: 7 more charged in anti-lockdown protest in Peterborough featuring Hillier, Bernier|last=Davis|first=Greg|date=2021-04-30|accessdate=2021-06-24|publisher=Global News}} The day before, they had been told not to attend by mayor Dianne Therrien.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7782857/covid-19-peterborough-mayor-bernier-hillier/|title=Peterborough mayor tells 'travelling clown convention' of Bernier, Hillier to avoid anti-lockdown protest|date=2021-04-21|accessdate=2021-06-24|publisher=Global News|last=Davis|first=Greg}}

He attended a protest in Montreal on May 2.{{Cite news|last=Olson|first=Isaac|date=2021-05-01|title=Demonstrators, many maskless, march in Montreal against public health restrictions|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/demonstrations-montreal-anti-public-health-restrictions-1.6010632|access-date=2021-05-02}} The crowd was large enough that it closed the mass vaccination clinic at the Olympic Stadium, where the protest began.{{cite web |url=https://montreal.citynews.ca/2021/05/01/thousands-march-in-montreal-to-protest-covid-19-measures-maxime-bernier-in-attendance/ |title=Thousands march in Montreal to protest COVID-19 measures, Maxime Bernier in attendance |format= |accessdate=2021-06-24|date=2021-05-01|publisher=City News|last=Giubilaro|first=Melina}} He spoke along with Chris Sky in Regina, Saskatchewan, on May 8,{{Cite web|title=Regina Farmers' Market organizers want safety policies respected with rally planned nearby|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7837403/regina-farmers-market-organizers-safety-policies-nearby-rally/|access-date=2021-05-22|website=Global News|language=en-US}} and received a $2800 ticket.{{cite news|url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/police-issue-16-tickets-in-relation-to-regina-freedom-rally-1.5420212|title=COVID-19: Regina police issue 16 tickets after anti-public health order protest Saturday|last=Skjerven|first=Kelly|date=2021-05-09|accessdate=2021-06-24|publisher=CTV News}} In Waterloo, Ontario, he and several other PPC candidates from neighbouring regions spoke at a rally on June 6. Waterloo's mayor, Dave Jaworsky, described their attendance as a political campaign rally that was "beyond shocking" during a pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/anti-lockdown-true-north-freedom-assembly-held-in-uptown-waterloo-3849848 |title=Anti-lockdown 'True North Freedom Assembly' held in Uptown Waterloo |accessdate=2021-06-24|last=Schulz|first=Luke|date=June 7, 2021 |publisher=Kitchener News Today}} Bernier was arrested and fined by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on June 11 in St-Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba, after attending a rally against COVID-19 restrictions, which was itself in violation of health restrictions.{{Cite news|date=2021-06-11|title=People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier arrested by RCMP in Manitoba|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/maxime-bernier-manitoba-taken-into-custody-1.6062801|access-date=2021-06-11}} He paid $1000 bail, cancelled the remainder of his tour in Manitoba, and returned to Montreal the next day.{{cite web |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7944631/maxime-bernier-manitoba-cancelled-tour/ |title=Maxime Bernier returns to Montreal day after his arrest in Manitoba|accessdate=2021-06-24|date=2021-06-12|publisher=Global News|last=Reimer|first=Will}} In August, he said that he would not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.{{Cite news|last=Major|first=Darren|date=2021-08-03|title=People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier says he won't get a COVID-19 vaccine|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/maxime-bernier-won-t-get-vaccine-1.6127821|access-date=2021-08-20}}

Bernier led the PPC in the 2021 election and campaigned against vaccine mandates, vaccine passports and lockdowns. He ran in his old riding of Beauce for the election and again lost to Richard Lehoux. However, the PPC, despite not winning any seats, increased its share of the popular vote to nearly five per cent, triple of what it garnered in the 2019 election.{{cite news |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/federal-election-2021/ppc-leader-maxime-bernier-fails-to-win-seat-but-party-increases-popular-vote-1.5593636?cache=lbaijlxg%3FclipId%3D740678 |title=PPC Leader Maxime Bernier fails to win seat, but party increases popular vote |date=2021-09-21 |access-date=2021-09-21 |publisher=CTV News}} The People's Party concluded its leadership review in December and he was confirmed and continued as leader.{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2021 |title=Maxime Bernier Overwhelmingly Confirmed as PPC Leader by Membership |url=https://www.ppcleadership.ca |publisher=People's Party of Canada |website=ppcleadership.ca}}{{Cite news |last=Paas-Lang |first=Christian |date=December 5, 2021 |title=Maxime Bernier retains leadership of People's Party of Canada after review vote |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/maxime-bernier-leadership-party-review-1.6274329 |work=CBC News |access-date=December 5, 2021}}

In July 2021, an affidavit filed in court alleged that People's Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier made a racist remark about NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, saying Singh would "never get elected with that rag on his head." Bernier denied the accusation, stating that this was the only eyewitness account of him supposedly making a racist comment and accused political strategist Warren Kinsella of orchestrating a defamation campaign against him.{{Cite news |last=Thompson |first=Elizabeth |date=7 May 2021 |title=Maxime Bernier uttered racist slur about Jagmeet Singh, according to statement filed in court |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bernier-kinsella-defamation-lawsuit-1.6015385?cmp=rss |work=CBC}} In November 2021, Ontario Court dismissed Bernier's defamation lawsuit for failing an anti-SLAPP screening test. {{Cite news |last=Dino |first=Angelica |date=17 November 2021 |title=Ontario court dismisses Maxime Bernier's defamation lawsuit for failing anti-SLAPP screening test |url=https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/general/ontario-court-dismisses-maxime-berniers-defamation-lawsuit-for-failing-anti-slapp-screening-test/361816 |work=Canadian Lawyer}}{{Cite news |last=Bryden |first=Joan |date=10 November 2021 |title=Maxime Bernier loses defamation lawsuit against columnist Warren Kinsella |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/bernier-loses-defamation-fight-against-columnist-who-called-him-racist |work=National Post |quote=Maxime Bernier has lost his defamation fight against a controversial columnist who repeatedly portrayed the People’s Party of Canada leader as racist, misogynist and anti-Semitic during the run-up to the 2019 federal election.}}

Bernier supported the January–February 2022 Canada convoy protest in Ottawa and accused the federal and provincial governments of violating human rights as a result of their imposition of health measures during the pandemic. He also accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of 'colluding' with U.S. President Joe Biden on vaccine mandates.{{cite web | title=Maxime Bernier plans to join trucker convoy in Ottawa, accuses Trudeau of 'colluding' with Biden on mandates | publisher = Canadian Press| date=2022-01-28 | url=https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/maxime-bernier-plans-to-join-trucker-convoy-in-ottawa-accuses-trudeau-of-colluding-with-biden-on-mandates-1.5758638 | access-date=2022-02-08}}

Bernier announced on May 12, 2023 that he would run for MP in a by-election in Portage-Lisgar in Manitoba{{Cite web |title=Maxime Bernier will run in the Portage-Lisgar by-election |url=https://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/articles/maxime-bernier-will-run-in-the-portage-lisgar-by-election |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=PembinaValleyOnline}} following the resignation of Candice Bergen.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-01 |title=Candice Bergen, former interim Conservative leader, resigning from Parliament |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/candice-bergen-former-interim-conservative-leader-resigning-from-parliament-1.6255315 |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=CTVNews |language=en}} He finished in 2nd with 17.16% of the vote, losing the by-election to Conservative Party candidate Branden Leslie who won with 64.95% of the vote and a margin of almost 15,000 votes.{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2023 |title=Conservatives cruise to victory over PPC Leader Maxime Bernier in Portage-Lisgar byelection |url=https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/2023/06/20/conservatives-bernier-portage-lisgar-byelection/ |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=CityNews Winnipeg |publisher=The Canadian Press}} Immediately following his defeat in the by-election, Bernier announced that he intended to run in Portage-Lisgar again at the next general election,{{Cite web |title="I will be your PPC candidate in Portage-Lisgar at the next general election," says Bernier in post results remarks |url=https://steinbachonline.com/articles/i-will-be-your-ppc-candidate-in-portage-lisgar-at-the-next-general-election-says-bernier-in-post-results-remarks |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=SteinbachOnline}} before later announcing in 2025 that he would instead be a candidate in his old riding of Beauce.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-13 |title=Maxime Bernier se présentera de nouveau en Beauce |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2140232/maxime-bernier-ppc-beauce |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Radio-Canada |language=fr-ca}} In the 2025 election, Bernier placed fourth in Beauce, winning only 3,628 votes (5.8%){{cite news|url=https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/elections/federal/2025/results/#/ridings/27172|title=Quebec-Beauce|publisher=CBC|accessdate=April 29, 2025}} and the PPC declined to less than 1% in the popular vote, with much of its support going to the Conservatives. {{Cite web |last=Benchetrit |first=Jenna |date=May 2, 2025 |title=With less than 1% of the vote, does the People's Party of Canada have a future? |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/peoples-party-of-canada-ppc-maxime-bernier-election-2025-1.7523653 |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2025 |website=CBC News}}

Bernier has two daughters.{{cite news|url=http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/best-foot-forward/|title=In training with Maxime Bernier|date=May 14, 2013|work=Maclean's}} In 2010, he began a relationship with Catherine Letarte, a National Ballet School-trained ballerina, who worked for a women's shelter and as of 2017 runs a community centre for adults living with mental health issues.{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/05/19/maxime-bernier-conservative-leadership-part-3_n_16694222.html|title=Who's Maxime Bernier? From Separatist And Scandal To Tory Leadership Front-Runner (Part 3)|date=May 19, 2017|work=HuffPost|access-date=15 June 2018}} Bernier and Letarte married in the summer of 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2019/06/28/maxime-bernier-se-marie-en-floride-1|title=Maxime Bernier se marie en Floride!|website=TVA Nouvelles|date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=16 September 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.narcity.com/news/ca/maxime-berniers-wife-catherine-letarte-has-had-many-different-careers|title=Maxime Bernier's Wife Catherine Letarte Has Had Many Different Careers|website=narcity.com|date=September 13, 2019|access-date=16 September 2019}} Bernier is fond of quoting James M. Buchanan, Friedrich Hayek, and Henry Hazlitt and has been known as "Mad Max",{{citation |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/mad-max-and-the-mangled-message/article17984428 |title='Mad Max' and the mangled message |date=April 19, 2008 |access-date=15 June 2018 |quote=Mr. Harper's advisers to denigrate saw his ability to finesse an issue, and he got a nickname: Mad Max. Still, Mr. Harper's August cabinet shuffle tapped Mr. Bernier for Foreign Affairs}}{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/christie-blatchford-how-much-do-i-love-max-bernier-let-me-count-the-cartels|title=Christie Blatchford: How much do I love Max Bernier? Let me count the cartels|date=August 29, 2018|work=National Post|access-date=9 September 2018}} the "Bloc-buster",{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-ivison-tory-leadership-candidate-maxime-bernier-no-longer-a-lightweight|title=Tory leadership candidate Maxime Bernier no longer a political 'lightweight'|last=Ivison|first=John|date=May 31, 2016|work=National Post|access-date=15 June 2018|quote=In 2007, Bernier was a rising star in Stephen Harper's cabinet – nicknamed "Bloc-buster" for his sharp attacks on Quebec separatists.}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thepolitic.com/archives/2007/08/31/the-future/|title=The Future: Maxime Bernier|date=August 31, 2007|work=The Politic|access-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709065543/https://www.thepolitic.com/archives/2007/08/31/the-future/|archive-date=July 9, 2018|url-status=dead}} or the "Albertan from Quebec" by his Ottawa colleagues.{{Cite web|url=http://vigile.quebec/L-Albertain-du-Quebec|title=L'Albertain du Québec – Vigile.Québec|date=June 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602231322/http://vigile.quebec/L-Albertain-du-Quebec|archive-date=2 June 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=15 June 2018}}

In September 2013, Bernier trained for and ran an ultramarathon across his riding to raise funds for a local food bank.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/maxime-bernier-s-latest-challenge-an-ultramarathon-1.1872405|title=Maxime Bernier's latest challenge: an ultramarathon|date=September 29, 2013|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}} In 2014, Bernier participated in the Rodeo de Cochons after being challenged by a local mayor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/how-mps-spent-their-summer-tales-of-pigs-cows-and-gruffalos-1.2750879|title=Lazy days of summer? Not for these MPs|publisher=CBC News|last=McGregor|first=Janyce|access-date=7 January 2019}}{{Cite news|url=http://plus.lapresse.ca/screens/49c2757c-53d6-4db3-ac33-320dac1c606a__7C___0.html|title=La vérité sur les cochons|date=July 30, 2014|website=La Presse+|language=fr|access-date=7 January 2019}}

• {{cite book |title=Pour un taux d'imposition unique |first=Maxime |last=Bernier |publisher=VARIA |year=2003|isbn= 978-2922245882}}
• Doing Well and Doing Better: Health Services Provided to Canadian Forces Personnel with an Emphasis on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder : Report of the Standing Committee on National Defence
• Canada's Arctic Sovereignty: Report of the Standing Committee on National Defence
• Doing Politics Differently: My Vision for Canada – Chapter 5 "Live or die with supply management"{{cite news |title=MP Maxime Bernier says Scheer won Tory leadership thanks to 'fake Conservatives' |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-mp-maxime-bernier-says-scheer-won-tory-leadership-thanks-to-fake/ |publisher=The Globe and Mail Inc |date=April 10, 2018}}

{{2025 Canadian federal election/Beauce}}

{{2023 Canadian federal by-elections/Portage—Lisgar}}

{{2021 Canadian federal election/Beauce}}

{{2020 Canadian federal by-elections/York Centre}}

{{2019 Canadian federal election/Beauce}}

{{Canadian election result/top|CA|2015|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}

{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Maxime Bernier|32,910|58.89|+8.17|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Adam Veilleux|12,442|22.26|+11.27|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Daniel Royer|5,443|9.74|−20.26|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|BQ|Stéphane Trudel|4,144|7.42|+0.75|–}}

{{CANelec|CA|Green|Céline Brown MacDonald|943|1.69|+0.08|–}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit|55,882|100.0  | |$222,691.43}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Total rejected ballots|712|1.25|0.02}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Turnout|56,594|66.15|+3.13}}

{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible voters|85,547}}

{{CANelec/hold|CA|Conservative|+14.22}}

{{CANelec/source|Source: Elections Canada{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.ca/Scripts/vis/candidates?L=e&ED=24007&EV=41&EV_TYPE=1&PC=&PROV=QC&PROVID=24&MAPID=&QID=8&PAGEID=17&TPAGEID=&PD=&STAT_CODE_ID=-1|title=Voter Information Service – Who are the candidates in my electoral district?|access-date=October 31, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=can&dir=cand/canlim&document=index&lang=e |title=Elections Canada On-line – Élection Canada en-ligne |access-date=October 31, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045200/http://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=can&dir=cand%2Fcanlim&document=index&lang=e |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}}}

{{end}}

{{CANelec/top|CA|2011|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}

{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Maxime Bernier|26,799 | 50.71|−11.70|$80,639.74}}

{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Serge Bergeron |15,831 | 29.95|+21.43|$1,165.17}}

{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Claude Morin|5,833 | 11.04|+0.72|$53,133.79}}

{{CANelec|CA|BQ|Sylvio Morin |3,535 | 6.69|−7.29|$19,711.99}}

{{CANelec|CA|Green|Etienne Doyon Lessard |852 | 1.61|−3.16|$2.00}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit|52,850|100.0  | |$90,992.37}}

{{CANelec/total|Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots|681| 1.27|−0.30}}

{{CANelec/total|Turnout| 53,531|63.02|+0.64}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible voters|84,941}}

{{CANelec/hold|CA|Conservative|−16.56}}

{{CANelec/source|source=Sources:{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.ca/scripts/ovr2011/default.html|title=OVR / ROS|access-date=October 31, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.ca/WPAPPS/WPF/EN/CC/SelectSearchOptions?act=C2&eventid=34&returntype=1|title=Financial Reports: Candidate's Electoral Campaign Return|access-date=October 31, 2016}}}}

{{end}}

{{CANelec/top|CA|2008|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}

{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Maxime Bernier| 31,883| 62.41| −4.61| $69,558.01}}

{{CANelec|CA|BQ|André Côté | 7,143| 13.98| −5.99| $13,263,15}}

{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|René Roy | 5,270| 10.32| +2.40| $2,129.85}}

{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Véronique Poulin | 4,352| 8.52| +5.97| $2,575.32}}

{{CANelec|CA|Green|Nicolas Rochette | 2,436| 4.77| +2.23|none listed}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit| 51,084|100.0  | | $87,470}}

{{CANelec/total|Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots| 817|1.57 |+0.75}}

{{CANelec/total|Turnout| 51,901|62.38 |−5.24}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible voters|83,205}}

{{CANelec/hold|CA|Conservative|+0.69}}

{{end}}

{{CANelec/top|CA|2006|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}

{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Maxime Bernier|36,915|67.02|+49.93| $79,344.54}}

{{CANelec|CA|BQ|Patrice Moore|10,997|19.97|−16.29| $66,069.90}}

{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Jacques Lussier|4,364|7.92|−33.46| $54,809.07}}

{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Cléo Chartier|1,405|2.55|−0.50| $1,020.20}}

{{CANelec|CA|Green|Jean-Claude Roy|1,397|2.54|+0.31| $108.47}}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit|55,078|100.0  | | $81,497}}

{{CANelec/total|Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots|454|0.82|−1.42}}

{{CANelec/total|Turnout|55,532|67.62|+8.12}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible voters|82,123}}

{{CANelec/gain|CA|Conservative|Liberal|+33.11}}

{{end}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Commons-inline}}
• {{Wikiquote-inline}}
• [https://www.conservative.ca/team/member/?fname=Maxime&lname=Bernier&type=mps Conservative Party of Canada biography]
• [http://www.maximebernier.com/ Maxime Bernier's Official Blog]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20180410135055/https://www.optimumpublishinginternational.com/ Doing Politics Differently]
• {{Canadian Parliament links| parliament = 170141 | parlinfo = 3817 | openparl = maxime-bernier}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130703110007/http://www.international.gc.ca/about-a_propos/report-rapport.aspx?lang=eng Final Report on the Administrative Review into the Security Incident Reported By Maxime Bernier]

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