On September 14, 2018, Bernier announced the creation of the People's Party of Canada, saying the party would advocate for "smart populism", which Bernier defined as policies based on principles of freedom, responsibility, fairness, and respect. Bernier positioned the People's Party to the right of the Conservative Party; the party has been variously described as conservative, libertarian, right-wing populist, classical liberal, far-right, and alt-right. In December 2018, some of its founding members were shown to have ties to American white nationalist and anti-immigrant groups. The party later told "Le Devoir" that they did not have enough resources to vet them at the beginning of the PPC's formation.