Prime Minister of Canada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Canada |
|
|---|---|
| Government of Canada Privy Council Office |
|
| Style |
|
| Abbreviation | PM |
| Member of | |
| Reports to | House of Commons |
| Residence | 24 Sussex Drive |
| Seat | Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council building |
| Appointer | Monarch (represented by the governor general)
with the confidence of the House of Commons
|
| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure |
| Constituting instrument | None (constitutional convention) |
| Inaugural holder | John A. Macdonald |
| Formation | July 1, 1867 |
| Deputy | Deputy Prime Minister |
| Salary | $406,200 (2024) |
The prime minister of Canada (French: premier ministre du Canada) is the main leader of the Canadian government. In Canada's system, called the Westminster system, the prime minister needs the support of most elected members in the House of Commons. This means the prime minister is usually a Member of Parliament (MP). They lead the political party with the most seats or a group of parties working together.
The prime minister is chosen by the governor general, who represents the monarch. This job isn't written down in one specific law. Instead, it follows old traditions and rules. The monarch is Canada's head of state, but their powers are almost always used based on the prime minister's advice. Canadian prime ministers are given the special title "the Right Honourable" for life.
The prime minister gets help from the Prime Minister's Office. They also lead the Privy Council Office. The prime minister chooses many important people for government roles. This includes the governor general, senators, and judges for the Supreme Court of Canada.
Since Canada became a country in 1867, there have been 24 prime ministers. This includes twenty-three men and one woman. Mark Carney is the current prime minister. He started his job on March 14, 2025.
Contents
How the Prime Minister's Job Started
The job of prime minister isn't fully described in Canada's main laws. It's only mentioned in a few small parts of the Constitution Act, 1982. The way the prime minister's office works is based on old traditions. It's very similar to how the prime minister's job works in the United Kingdom.
How a Prime Minister is Chosen
Many Canadians think they directly vote for the prime minister. But this isn't true. The prime minister, along with other government ministers, is chosen by the governor general. The governor general picks the person most likely to have the support of the majority of elected members in the House of Commons.
This person is usually the leader of the party that wins the most seats. Or, it could be the leader of a group of parties that work together. The appointment is usually done by simply asking and accepting, not with a special document.
If a prime minister decides to quit, they might suggest who should be the next prime minister. However, if they are quitting because they lost the support of the House of Commons, the governor general doesn't have to follow their advice.
There's no law saying the prime minister must be an MP. But for practical reasons, they are expected to win a seat very quickly. In the past, two prime ministers, John Joseph Caldwell Abbott and Mackenzie Bowell, served while they were members of the Senate. They took over after prime ministers died in office.
.jpg)
If a prime minister isn't an MP when they are chosen, they are expected to run for a seat as soon as possible. For example, William Lyon Mackenzie King lost his seat twice but still became prime minister. He then won a special election a few weeks later.
When a prime minister loses their seat, or a new prime minister is chosen without one, a member of their party usually steps down. This allows the prime minister to run in a special election for that seat. This is often a "safe seat" that the party is likely to win.
How Long a Prime Minister Serves
A prime minister serves "at His Majesty's pleasure". This means there's no set time limit for their job. Once they are appointed, they stay in office until they resign, are removed, or pass away.
Normally, a Canadian Parliament can last up to four years. An election day is usually set for the third Monday in October every four years. However, the governor general can still call an election earlier. This happens if the prime minister asks for it.
After an election, if the prime minister's party wins most of the seats, the prime minister doesn't need to be re-appointed. If another party wins most seats, the prime minister might resign. Or, they might try to keep power by getting support from other parties.
What the Prime Minister Does
The prime minister is the most powerful person in the Canadian government. Because of this, some people mistakenly think they are Canada's head of state. But that role belongs to the Canadian monarch, represented by the governor general. The prime minister is the head of government. They advise the monarch on how to use many of their powers.
The prime minister's role has grown over time. Today, the prime minister's advice is usually followed. This means the prime minister effectively does the jobs of the monarch or governor general. This leaves the monarch and governor general to mostly do ceremonial duties.
The prime minister, with help from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), chooses many important people. This includes the governor general, Cabinet members, and judges. They also pick senators, heads of government companies, and ambassadors.
The prime minister also plays a big part in making laws. Most new laws that go before Parliament start in the Cabinet.
Some experts say that the prime minister's power has grown a lot. They believe that Parliament and the Cabinet have become less powerful compared to the prime minister. Some even say the job has become like a "president."
However, there are ways to check the prime minister's power. The House of Commons can vote to remove its support for the prime minister. Also, members of the prime minister's own party can rebel. This can force a prime minister to resign, as happened with Jean Chrétien.
The Senate can also delay or stop laws proposed by the prime minister's government. Also, Canada is a federal country. This means the federal government's power is limited to certain areas by the constitution.
The monarch or governor general can also go against the prime minister's wishes in very serious situations. Former governor general Adrienne Clarkson said she had the right "to encourage, to advise, and to warn" the prime minister.
Special Benefits of the Job
The prime minister has two official homes. One is 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa. The other is Harrington Lake, a country getaway. They also have an office in the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council building.
For travel, the prime minister has an armored car. They also share two official planes. One is for international flights, and a smaller one is for trips within Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police provide constant personal security for the prime minister and their family. All these benefits are paid for with money approved by Parliament.
As of April 2024, the prime minister's yearly salary is $406,200. This includes their salary as an MP and an extra salary for being prime minister.
When a prime minister passes away, they usually have a state funeral. Their coffin is placed in the Centre Block of Parliament Hill.
Before 1919, it was common for the monarch to make new Canadian prime ministers knights. This meant they would use "Sir" before their name. However, after 1919, the House of Commons decided that Canadians should not receive British noble titles.
Still, R. B. Bennett was made a Viscount in 1941, after he had left office. No prime minister has received a title since then.
The Canadian Heraldic Authority can add a special symbol to the coat of arms of former prime ministers who ask for it. This symbol is called the "mark of the Prime Ministership of Canada." It shows four red maple leaves joined together on a white background.
How to Address the Prime Minister
When you speak directly to the prime minister, you can use the title "Prime Minister." However, the Canadian government suggests not using "Mr. Prime Minister" in official settings.
When writing to the prime minister, you should use their full title: "The Right Honourable [name], Prime Minister of Canada." In the House of Commons, other MPs might call the prime minister "the Right Honourable Member for [prime minister's riding]" or simply "the Right Honourable Prime Minister."
Former prime ministers keep the title "the Right Honourable" for the rest of their lives.
In the early years after Canada was formed, people often called the prime minister "Premier of Canada." This continued until around World War I. Today, the federal leader is almost always called the "prime minister." The leaders of Canada's provinces and territories are called "premiers."
What Prime Ministers Do After Office
After leaving office, former prime ministers of Canada do many different things. Some stay in politics. For example, Mackenzie Bowell continued as a senator. R. B. Bennett moved to the United Kingdom and joined the House of Lords.
Several prime ministers became the leader of the Official Opposition. This includes John A. Macdonald, Arthur Meighen, William Lyon Mackenzie King, and Pierre Trudeau. They all later became prime minister again.
Other prime ministers returned to private life. Robert Borden became the head of two universities. Lester B. Pearson was also a university head. Joe Clark and Kim Campbell became university lecturers. Kim Campbell also worked in international diplomacy. Many former prime ministers also write books about their lives.
See also
- Historical rankings of prime ministers of Canada
- List of prime ministers of Canada
- List of prime ministers of Canada by time in office
- List of prime ministers of Canada by religious affiliation
- List of books about prime ministers of Canada
- Prime ministers of Canada in popular culture
- Spouse of the prime minister of Canada
