List of Prime Ministers of Canada

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For lists of Canadian Prime Ministers ranked by different criteria, such as time in office and religion see the Links to related articles linked at the bottom of this page.

This is a list of Prime Ministers of Canada. The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary Minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus Head of Government of Canada. The office is not outlined in any of the documents that constitute the written portion of the Constitution of Canada; executive authority is formally vested in the Canadian sovereign and exercised on his or her behalf by the Governor General. The prime ministership is part of Canada's constitutional convention tradition. The office was initially modelled after the job as it existed in Britain at time of Confederation in 1867. The British prime ministership, although fully developed by 1867, was not formally integrated into the British constitution until 1905—hence, its absence from Constitution Act, 1867. The Prime Minister is almost invariably the leader of the political party that holds the largest number of seats in the House of Commons.

Stephen Harper is the current Prime Minister, appointed by Governor General Michaëlle Jean as the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada on February 6, 2006. He is the leader of the Conservative Party, which won 143 of 308 seats in the last federal election. Of the total 308 seats, 143 is a plurality (a majority would be 155 seats) so Prime Minister Harper leads a minority government; that is, the total number of seats held by all the other political parties is greater than the number of seats held by the Conservatives.

[edit] Timeline

Liberal Party of Canada Historical conservative parties: Liberal-Conservative, Conservative (historical), Unionist, N.L.C., Progressive Conservative Conservative Party of Canada

		Period	Parli- ament	Appointment details
1st	Sir John A. Macdonald (Liberal-Conservative) (1st time of 2)	July 1, 1867 November 5, 1873	—	Designated July 1, 1867
			1st	Elected Aug-Sep, 1867
			2nd	Re-elected Jul-Oct, 1872 Resigned November 5, 1873 (Pacific Scandal)
2nd	Alexander Mackenzie (Liberal)	November 7, 1873 October 8, 1878	2nd	Designated November 7, 1873
2nd	Alexander Mackenzie (Liberal)	November 7, 1873 October 8, 1878	3rd	Elected January 22, 1874
*(1st)*	Sir John A. Macdonald (Liberal-Conservative) (2nd time of 2)	October 17, 1878 June 6, 1891	4th	Elected September 17, 1878^[1]
			5th	Re-Elected June 20, 1882
			6th	Re-elected February 22, 1887
			7th	Re-elected March 5, 1891 Died in office June 6, 1891
3rd	Sir John Abbott (Liberal-Conservative)	June 16, 1891 November 24, 1892		Designated June 16, 1891^[2] Resigned (Retired) November 24, 1892
4th	Sir John Thompson (Conservative)	December 5, 1892 December 12, 1894		Designated December 5, 1892 Died in office December 12, 1894
5th	Sir Mackenzie Bowell (Conservative)	December 21, 1894 April 27, 1896		Designated December 21, 1894^[3] Resigned (Retired) April 27, 1896
6th	Sir Charles Tupper (Conservative)	May 1, 1896 July 8, 1896	none^[4]	Designated May 1, 1896
7th	Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Liberal)	July 11, 1896 October 6, 1911	8th	Elected June 23, 1896
			9th	Re-Elected November 7, 1900
			10th	Re-Elected November 3, 1904
			11th	Re-Elected October 26, 1908
8th	Sir Robert Borden^[5] (Conservative)	October 10, 1911 October 12, 1917	12th	Elected September 21, 1911
*(8th)*	Sir Robert Borden^[6] (Unionist)^[7]	October 12, 1917 July 10, 1920	12th	Formed a new ministry October 12, 1917 as a coalition government
*(8th)*	Sir Robert Borden^[6] (Unionist)^[7]	October 12, 1917 July 10, 1920	13th	Re-Elected December 17, 1917 to a coalition government^[8] Resigned (Retired) July 10, 1920
9th	Arthur Meighen (N.L.C.) (1st time of 2)	July 10, 1920 December 29, 1921	13th	Designated July 7, 1920
10th	William Lyon Mackenzie King (Liberal) (1st time of 3)	December 29, 1921 June 29, 1926	14th	Elected December 6, 1921 to a minority government
10th	William Lyon Mackenzie King (Liberal) (1st time of 3)	December 29, 1921 June 29, 1926	15th	Re-Elected October 29, 1925 to a minority government^[9] By-Election February 15, 1926^[10] Resigned June 29, 1926 (King-Byng Affair)
*(9th)*	Arthur Meighen (Conservative) (2nd time of 2)	June 29, 1926 September 25, 1926	15th	Designated June 29, 1926 to a minority government
*(10th)*	William Lyon Mackenzie King (Liberal) (2nd time of 3)	September 25, 1926 August 6, 1930	16th	Elected September 14, 1926 to a minority government
11th	Richard Bedford Bennett (Conservative)	August 7, 1930 October 23, 1935	17th	Elected July 28, 1930
*(10th)*	William Lyon Mackenzie King (Liberal) (3rd time of 3)	October 23, 1935 November 15, 1948	18th	Elected October 14, 1935
			19th	Re-Elected March 26, 1940
			20th	Re-Elected June 11, 1945^[11] By-Election August 6, 1945 Resigned (Retired) 1948
12th	Louis St. Laurent (Liberal)	November 15, 1948 June 21, 1957	20th	Designated August 7, 1948
			21st	Re-elected June 27, 1949
			22nd	Re-Elected August 10, 1953
13th	John Diefenbaker (Progressive Conservative)	June 21, 1957 April 22, 1963	23rd	Elected June 10, 1957 to a minority government
			24th	Re-Elected March 31, 1958
			25th	Re-Elected June 18, 1962 to a minority government
14th	Lester B. Pearson (Liberal)	April 22, 1963 April 20, 1968	26th	Elected April 8, 1963 to a minority government
14th	Lester B. Pearson (Liberal)	April 22, 1963 April 20, 1968	27th	Re-Elected November 8, 1965 to a minority government Resignation (Retired) April 20, 1968
15th	Pierre Trudeau (Liberal) (1st time of 2)	April 20, 1968 June 4, 1979	27th	Designated April 6, 1968 to a minority government
			28th	Re-elected June 25, 1968
			29th	Re-Elected October 30, 1972 to a minority government
			30th	Re-Elected July 8, 1974
16th	Joe Clark (Progressive Conservative)	June 4, 1979 March 3, 1980	31st	Elected May 22, 1979 to a minority government
*(15th)*	Pierre Trudeau (Liberal) (2nd time of 2)	March 3, 1980 June 30, 1984	32nd	Elected February 18, 1980 Resigned (Retired) June 30, 1984^[12]
17th	John Turner (Liberal)	June 30, 1984 September 17, 1984	32nd	Designated June 16, 1984^[13]
18th	Brian Mulroney (Progressive Conservative)	September 17, 1984 June 25, 1993	33rd	Elected September 4, 1984
18th	Brian Mulroney (Progressive Conservative)	September 17, 1984 June 25, 1993	34th	Re-Elected November 21, 1988 Resigned (Retired) June 25, 1993^[14]
19th	Kim Campbell (Progressive Conservative)	June 25, 1993 November 4, 1993	34th	Designated June 13, 1993
20th	Jean Chrétien (Liberal)	November 4, 1993 December 12, 2003	35th	Elected October 25, 1993
			36th	Re-Elected June 2, 1997
			37th	Re-Elected November 27, 2000 Resigned (Retired) December 12, 2003^[15]
21st	Paul Martin (Liberal)	December 12, 2003 February 6, 2006	37th	Designated November 15, 2003
21st	Paul Martin (Liberal)	December 12, 2003 February 6, 2006	38th	Re-elected June 28, 2004 to a minority government
22nd	Stephen Harper (Conservative)	February 6, 2006 incumbent	39th	Elected January 23, 2006 to a minority government
22nd	Stephen Harper (Conservative)	February 6, 2006 incumbent	40th	Re-Elected October 14, 2008 to a minority government

[edit] Notes

^ In 1878, John A. Macdonald presented himself in the electoral districts of Kingston, ON, Marquette, MB, and Victoria, BC. He was defeated in Kingston, Ontario by Liberal Alexander Gunn. However, since Macdonald was elected in the two other districts and chose to sit as an MP from Victoria, BC, he did not present himself in another by-election.
^ John Abbott was a senator when he was designated Prime Minister.
^ Mackenzie Bowell was a senator when he was designated Prime Minister.
^ After the dissolution of the 7th Canadian Parliament, Mackenzie Bowell stepped down and Sir Charles Tupper became Prime Minister on May 1, 1896. Tupper was only Prime Minister during the 1896 election campaign, which he lost, so he was never Prime Minister of a sitting parliament.
^ Sir George Foster, who had been knighted in 1914, served as Acting Prime Minister from April 19, 1917 to May 15, 1917.During this period, Prime Minister Borden was in attendance at the Imperial War Conference in London.Borden returned to the House of Commons on May 16, 1917. "PARTY LEADERS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SINCE 1867". Parliament of Canada. Government of Canada. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/MarleauMontpetit/DocumentViewer.aspx?DocId=1001&Sec=Ch25&Seq=10&Lang=E#_ftn6. Retrieved on 2009-05-08.
^ Sir Thomas White served as Acting Prime Minister from February 20, 1919 to May 23, 1919. During this period, Prime Minister Borden was attending the Paris Peace Conference which followed the end of the First World War. Borden returned to the House of Commons on May 26, 1919.Sir George Foster served as Acting Prime Minister from February 26, 1920 to May 12, 1920. During this period, Prime Minister Borden was absent from the House of Commons due to illness. Borden recommended that the Governor General call upon Arthur Meighen to succeed him as Prime Minister.Meighen was sworn in as Prime Minister on July 10, 1920 "PARTY LEADERS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SINCE 1867". Parliament of Canada. Government of Canada. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/MarleauMontpetit/DocumentViewer.aspx?DocId=1001&Sec=Ch25&Seq=10&Lang=E#_ftn7. Retrieved on 2009-05-08.
^ The later half of Borden's premiership was under a coalition government of the Conservatives, now renamed "Unionist" and some Liberals who crossed the floor and joined the new party.
^ Unionist government of Conservatives with some members of the Liberal Party of Canada who crossed the floor to join the new party; it was not really a coalition because it was only one united political party.
^ In the 15th general election, P.M. King's Liberals elected fewer seats than Arthur Meighen's Conservatives. However, King stayed in power with the support of the Progressive Party.
^ King was defeated in his electoral district in the general election.
^ Defeated in his electoral district.
^ Resignation announced February 29, 1984
^ Turner was not a sitting member of parliament when he was designate Prime Minister
^ Resignation announced February 1993
^ Jean Chrétien announced on August 21, 2002, his intention to step down in February 2004 and ended up resigning on December 12, 2003.

[edit] References

"Prime Ministers of Canada - 1867 to Date" (.asp). Parliament of Canada. http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/pm/index.asp?Language=E&param=mp. Retrieved on August 26 2006.
"Prime Ministers of Canada" (.htm). Canada Info Link. http://www.canadainfolink.ca/pms.htm. Retrieved on August 26 2006.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Prime ministers of Canada

[edit] Related information

[Macdonald1-0] In 1878, John A. Macdonald presented himself in the electoral districts of Kingston, ON, Marquette, MB, and Victoria, BC. He was defeated in Kingston, Ontario by Liberal Alexander Gunn. However, since Macdonald was elected in the two other districts and chose to sit as an MP from Victoria, BC, he did not present himself in another by-election.

[Abbott1-1] John Abbott was a senator when he was designated Prime Minister.

[Bowell1-2] Mackenzie Bowell was a senator when he was designated Prime Minister.

[3] After the dissolution of the 7th Canadian Parliament, Mackenzie Bowell stepped down and Sir Charles Tupper became Prime Minister on May 1, 1896. Tupper was only Prime Minister during the 1896 election campaign, which he lost, so he was never Prime Minister of a sitting parliament.

[4] Sir George Foster, who had been knighted in 1914, served as Acting Prime Minister from April 19, 1917 to May 15, 1917.During this period, Prime Minister Borden was in attendance at the Imperial War Conference in London.Borden returned to the House of Commons on May 16, 1917. "PARTY LEADERS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SINCE 1867". Parliament of Canada. Government of Canada. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/MarleauMontpetit/DocumentViewer.aspx?DocId=1001&Sec=Ch25&Seq=10&Lang=E#_ftn6. Retrieved on 2009-05-08.

[5] Sir Thomas White served as Acting Prime Minister from February 20, 1919 to May 23, 1919. During this period, Prime Minister Borden was attending the Paris Peace Conference which followed the end of the First World War. Borden returned to the House of Commons on May 26, 1919.Sir George Foster served as Acting Prime Minister from February 26, 1920 to May 12, 1920. During this period, Prime Minister Borden was absent from the House of Commons due to illness. Borden recommended that the Governor General call upon Arthur Meighen to succeed him as Prime Minister.Meighen was sworn in as Prime Minister on July 10, 1920 "PARTY LEADERS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SINCE 1867". Parliament of Canada. Government of Canada. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/MarleauMontpetit/DocumentViewer.aspx?DocId=1001&Sec=Ch25&Seq=10&Lang=E#_ftn7. Retrieved on 2009-05-08.

[6] The later half of Borden's premiership was under a coalition government of the Conservatives, now renamed "Unionist" and some Liberals who crossed the floor and joined the new party.

[7] Unionist government of Conservatives with some members of the Liberal Party of Canada who crossed the floor to join the new party; it was not really a coalition because it was only one united political party.

[king1-8] In the 15th general election, P.M. King's Liberals elected fewer seats than Arthur Meighen's Conservatives. However, King stayed in power with the support of the Progressive Party.

[king2-9] King was defeated in his electoral district in the general election.

[king3-10] Defeated in his electoral district.

[11] Resignation announced February 29, 1984

[12] Turner was not a sitting member of parliament when he was designate Prime Minister

[13] Resignation announced February 1993

[chretien1-14] Jean Chrétien announced on August 21, 2002, his intention to step down in February 2004 and ended up resigning on December 12, 2003.

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List of Prime Ministers of Canada

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[edit] Notes

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] Related information

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