Maxime Bernier, born on January 18, 1963, in Saint-Georges, Quebec, Canada, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, and businessperson. He entered politics in 2006 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Beauce, representing the Conservative Party of Canada. During Stephen Harper's government, Bernier served in several cabinet positions, including Minister of Industry (2006-2007), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007-2008), and Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism (2008-2011). His tenure was marked by controversies, such as resigning from the Foreign Affairs portfolio in 2008 after leaving classified documents at his girlfriend's apartment, though no charges were filed. In 2017, Bernier ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party, finishing a close second to Andrew Scheer, which led to his departure from the party in 2018 to found the People's Party of Canada (PPC). The PPC promotes libertarian and anti-immigration views, emphasizing individual freedoms, reduced government intervention, opposition to multiculturalism and high immigration levels, and withdrawal from international climate agreements. Bernier has positioned himself as an anti-establishment figure, criticizing both major parties for being too similar. He lost his seat in the 2019 federal election but continues to lead the PPC, running in subsequent elections, including 2021, where the party garnered about 5% of the national vote. Bernier has been influential in right-wing populist circles, with connections to figures like Ezra Levant, and has faced criticism for his stances on COVID-19 measures and vaccines, which he opposed during the pandemic. Beyond politics, Bernier has a background in business, having worked in his family's dairy company and later in financial services. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a law degree from Université Laval. Bernier is fluent in both French and English and resides in Quebec. His political career reflects a shift from mainstream conservatism to a more radical libertarian platform, influencing discussions on Canadian identity and governance.