The prime minister of Canada is an official who serves as the primary minister of the Crown, chair of the Cabinet, and thus head of government of Canada. Twenty-three people have served as prime ministers. Officially, the prime minister is appointed by the governor general of Canada, but by constitutional convention, the prime minister must have the confidence of the elected House of Commons. Normally, this is the leader of the party caucus with the greatest number of seats in the house. But if that leader lacks the support of the majority, the governor general can appoint another leader who has that support or may dissolve parliament and call a new election. By constitutional convention, a prime minister holds a seat in parliament and, since the early 20th century, this has more specifically meant the House of Commons.[1]
The prime minister begins their term has been determined by the date sworn into their portfolio, as an oath of office as prime minister is not required.[3] However, since 1957, the incoming prime minister has sworn an oath as prime minister.[3] Before 1920, prime ministers' resignations were accepted immediately by the governor general and the last day of the ministries were the date he died or the date of resignation.[3] Since 1920, the outgoing prime minister has only formally resigned when the new government is ready to be formed.[3] The Interpretation Act of 1967 states that "where an appointment is made effective or terminates on a specified day, that appointment is considered to be effective or to terminate after the end of the previous day".[3] Thus, although the outgoing prime minister formally resigns only hours before the incoming ministry swears their oaths, both during the day, the ministries are effectively changed at midnight the night before. Some sources, including the Parliament of Canada, apply this convention as far back as 1917.[4] Two prime ministers have died in office: John A. Macdonald (1867–1873, 1878–1891), and John Thompson (1892–1894), both of natural causes. All others have resigned, either after losing an election or upon retirement.
Canadian custom is to count by the individuals who were prime minister, not by terms.[5] Since Confederation, 23 prime ministers have been "called upon" by the governor general to form 29 Canadian Ministries.[5]
Minister without Portfolio; Succeeded on Macdonald's death due to objections to the Catholic John Thompson. In ill health; retired. First prime minister born in what would become Canada, and first of only two prime ministers to serve while in the Senate.
LSParty won the election, but prime minister lost own seat
*The Interpretation Act of 1967 states that "where an appointment is made effective or terminates on a specified day, that appointment is considered to be effective or to terminate after the end of the previous day." Under the Act, prime ministers' tenures are therefore credited as having concluded at the end of their last full day in office, although their resignation was received by the governor general on the following day. This provision applies to P. Trudeau in 1979[46] and 1984,[47] Clark,[48] Turner,[49] Mulroney,[50] Campbell,[51] Chrétien,[52] Martin,[52] and Harper.[52]
Donaldson, G. (1994). The Prime Ministers of Canada. Doubleday Canada. ISBN978-0-385-25454-0.
English, J.R.; Dutil, P. (2023). Statesmen, Strategists and Diplomats: Canada's Prime Ministers and the Making of Foreign Policy. The C. D. Howe Series in Canadian Political History Series. University of British Columbia Press. ISBN978-0-7748-6855-6.
Schlee, Gary (2018). Unknown and unforgettable : a guide to Canada's Prime Ministers. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ISBN978-1-7753780-0-6. OCLC1108336247.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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