Despite not winning any seats in its first election campaign in 2019, Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada is back for the 2021 vote, trying to paint itself as a true conservative alternative.

But the PPC has been dogged by controversy over past ties to white supremacists, its opposition to measures to stem COVID-19 and its courting of anti-vaxxers, and the involvement of members in angry groups mobbing the prime minister.

National Post columnist Rupa Subramanya joins Dave Breakenridge to discuss what the draw is for some candidates, how the party reconciles itself with its own fringe elements, and whether it stands to play spoiler for other parties in this election.

Background reading: Rupa Subramanya: The People's Party of Canada's rise is more complicated than anti-Trudeau rage

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices