Leader of the Government in the Senate (Canada)
Encyclopedia
The Leader of the Government in the Senate is a Canadian cabinet minister who leads the government side in the Canadian Senate
and is chiefly responsible for promoting and defending the government's program in the Upper House
. The government leader's counterpart on the Opposition benches is the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
. The Leader of the Government in the Senate is selected by the Prime Minister.
. Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott and Sir Mackenzie Bowell
served as prime minister from the Senate. Abbott and Bowell both found it difficult to lead the government from the Senate, however, and over time, the perceived legitimacy of the Senate declined. As time progressed, it became less common for senators to occupy prominent positions in Cabinet. From 1935 on, it was typical for a Cabinet to have only one senator who would have the position of minister without portfolio
and act as Government Leader in the Senate. There has only been one Leader of the Government in the Senate who was not included in the Cabinet, William Benjamin Ross
who served in the position in 1926.
In 1969, the position of Leader of the Government in the Senate became an official cabinet position in its own right with the appointment of Paul Martin, Sr.
(father of Canada's future prime minister, Paul Martin
).
Occasionally, senators still hold senior cabinet positions in order to ensure regional balance in Cabinet if the governing party is unable to elect members in a particular region or province, e.g., when the Progressive Conservative Party
formed the government under the leadership of Joe Clark
in 1979, and when the Liberal Party
formed the government under the leadership of Pierre Trudeau
in 1980. However, it is usually the case that the Leader of the Government in the Senate is the sole senator serving in Cabinet.
The responsibilities of the Leader of the Government in the Senate include:
The government side in the Senate is the party that forms the government in the Canadian House of Commons
. This means that the government party in the Senate may have fewer seats than the Opposition, particularly when a general election results in a new party forming government.
The current Leader of the Government in the Senate is Marjory LeBreton
Notes
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
and is chiefly responsible for promoting and defending the government's program in the Upper House
Upper house
An upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...
. The government leader's counterpart on the Opposition benches is the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Canada)
In Canada, the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Senate is the leader of the senate caucus of the largest party in the Senate that is not in government. The position is appointed by the leader of the party that forms the opposition in the Senate...
. The Leader of the Government in the Senate is selected by the Prime Minister.
History
Early Canadian cabinets included several senators who would be answerable to the Senate for government actions. In the nineteenth century, it was not considered unusual for a senator to be Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
. Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott and Sir Mackenzie Bowell
Mackenzie Bowell
Sir Mackenzie Bowell, PC, KCMG was a Canadian politician who served as the fifth Prime Minister of Canada from December 21, 1894 to April 27, 1896.-Early life:Bowell was born in Rickinghall, Suffolk, England to John Bowell and Elizabeth Marshall...
served as prime minister from the Senate. Abbott and Bowell both found it difficult to lead the government from the Senate, however, and over time, the perceived legitimacy of the Senate declined. As time progressed, it became less common for senators to occupy prominent positions in Cabinet. From 1935 on, it was typical for a Cabinet to have only one senator who would have the position of minister without portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
and act as Government Leader in the Senate. There has only been one Leader of the Government in the Senate who was not included in the Cabinet, William Benjamin Ross
William Benjamin Ross
William Benjamin Ross was a Canadian politician, lawyer and businessman.A lawyer by training, Ross practiced law in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He also pursued business interests such as helping found the Halifax Electric Tramway Company Limited...
who served in the position in 1926.
In 1969, the position of Leader of the Government in the Senate became an official cabinet position in its own right with the appointment of Paul Martin, Sr.
Paul Joseph James Martin
Joseph James Guillaume Paul Martin, PC, CC, QC , often referred to as Paul Martin, Sr, was a noted Canadian politician. He was the father of Paul Martin , who served as Prime Minister of Canada from 2003 - 2006.-Early life:Martin was born in Ottawa, Ontario, the son of Lumina and Joseph...
(father of Canada's future prime minister, Paul Martin
Paul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
).
Occasionally, senators still hold senior cabinet positions in order to ensure regional balance in Cabinet if the governing party is unable to elect members in a particular region or province, e.g., when the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
formed the government under the leadership of Joe Clark
Joe Clark
Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician...
in 1979, and when the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
formed the government under the leadership of Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
in 1980. However, it is usually the case that the Leader of the Government in the Senate is the sole senator serving in Cabinet.
The responsibilities of the Leader of the Government in the Senate include:
- Planning and managing the government's legislative program in the Senate
- Answering all questions for the government during the Senate's Question PeriodQuestion PeriodQuestion Period, known officially as Oral Questions occurs each sitting day in the Canadian House of Commons. According to the House of Commons Compendium, “The primary purpose of Question Period is to seek information from the Government and to call it to account for its actions.”-History:The...
- Maintaining relations with the OppositionOfficial Opposition (Canada)In Canada, Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition , commonly known as the Official Opposition, is usually the largest parliamentary opposition party in the House of Commons or a provincial legislative assembly that is not in government, either on its own or as part of a governing coalition...
on all matters concerning Senate activities - Working with the Leader of the Government in the House of CommonsLeader of the Government in the House of Commons (Canada)The Leader of the government in the House of Commons , more commonly known as the Government House Leader, is the Cabinet minister responsible for planning and managing the government's legislative program in the Canadian House of Commons...
to ensure the effective coordination of the government's legislative programme.
The government side in the Senate is the party that forms the government in the Canadian House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
. This means that the government party in the Senate may have fewer seats than the Opposition, particularly when a general election results in a new party forming government.
The current Leader of the Government in the Senate is Marjory LeBreton
Marjory LeBreton
Marjory LeBreton, PC is Leader of the Government in the Canadian Senate, a position of cabinet-rank; and vice-chair of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Canada...
Leaders of the Government in the Senate
Key:| Leader in the Senate | Prime Minister (Ministry) |
Party | Term of office | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Campbell Alexander Campbell (Canadian politician) Sir Alexander Campbell, PC, KCMG, QC was an English-born, Canadian statesman and politician, and a father of Canadian Confederation.... (1st time) |
Sir John A. Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century... (1) |
Liberal-Conservative | July 1, 1867 | November 5, 1873 | |
| Luc Letellier de St-Just Luc Letellier de St-Just Luc Letellier de Saint-Just, PC was a Canadian politician. He also served as the third Lieutenant Governor of Quebec .... |
Alexander Mackenzie Alexander Mackenzie Alexander Mackenzie, PC , a building contractor and newspaper editor, was the second Prime Minister of Canada from November 7, 1873 to October 8, 1878.-Biography:... (2) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
November 5, 1873 | December 14, 1876 | |
| Sir Richard William Scott Richard William Scott Sir Richard William Scott, PC, KC was a Canadian politician and cabinet minister.He was born in Prescott, Ontario in 1825. A lawyer by training, Scott was admitted to the bar in 1848 and established a practice in Bytown... (1st time) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
December 14, 1876 | October 7, 1878 | ||
| Alexander Campbell Alexander Campbell (Canadian politician) Sir Alexander Campbell, PC, KCMG, QC was an English-born, Canadian statesman and politician, and a father of Canadian Confederation.... ('2nd time) |
Sir John A. Macdonald John A. Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century... (3) |
Conservative Conservative Party of Canada (historical) The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the... |
October 18, 1878 | January 26, 1887 | |
| Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott | Conservative Conservative Party of Canada (historical) The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the... |
May 12, 1887 | 6 June 1891 | ||
| Himself (4) |
16 June 1891 | October 30, 1893 | |||
| Sir Mackenzie Bowell Mackenzie Bowell Sir Mackenzie Bowell, PC, KCMG was a Canadian politician who served as the fifth Prime Minister of Canada from December 21, 1894 to April 27, 1896.-Early life:Bowell was born in Rickinghall, Suffolk, England to John Bowell and Elizabeth Marshall... |
Sir John Thompson (5 5th Canadian Ministry The Fifth Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sir John Sparrow Thompson. It governed Canada from 5 December 1892 to 12 December 1894, including only two years in the middle of the 7th Canadian Parliament... ) |
Conservative Conservative Party of Canada (historical) The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the... |
October 31, 1893 | December 12, 1894 | |
| Himself (6 6th Canadian Ministry The Sixth Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sir Mackenzie Bowell. It governed Canada from 21 December 1894 to 27 April 1896, including only the last year of the 7th Canadian Parliament... ) |
December 21, 1894 | April 27, 1896 | |||
| Sir Charles Tupper Charles Tupper Sir Charles Tupper, 1st Baronet, GCMG, CB, PC was a Canadian father of Confederation: as the Premier of Nova Scotia from 1864 to 1867, he led Nova Scotia into Confederation. He later went on to serve as the sixth Prime Minister of Canada, sworn in to office on May 1, 1896, seven days after... (7 7th Canadian Ministry The Seventh Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sir Charles Tupper. It governed Canada from 1 May to 8 July 1896. It was formed after the 7th Canadian Parliament was dissolved, and lost the 8th Canadian federal election, so it never faced a parliament... ) |
April 27, 1896 | August 19, 1896 | |||
| Sir Oliver Mowat Oliver Mowat Sir Oliver Mowat, was a Canadian politician, and the third Premier of Ontario from 1872 to 1896, making him the longest serving premier of that province and the 3rd longest in all of Canadian history... |
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Wilfrid Laurier Sir Wilfrid Laurier, GCMG, PC, KC, baptized Henri-Charles-Wilfrid Laurier was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 6 October 1911.... (8 8th Canadian Ministry The Eighth Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier. It governed Canada from 11 July 1896 to 5 October 1911, including all of the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th Canadian Parliaments... ) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
August 19, 1896 | November 18, 1897 | |
| David Mills David Mills (Canadian politician) David Mills, PC was a Canadian politician, author, poet and jurist.He was born in Palmyra, in southwestern Ontario. His father, Nathaniel Mills, was one of the first settlers in the area. Mills served as superintendent of schools for Kent County from 1856 to 1865... |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
November 18, 1897 | February 7, 1902 | ||
| Sir Richard William Scott Richard William Scott Sir Richard William Scott, PC, KC was a Canadian politician and cabinet minister.He was born in Prescott, Ontario in 1825. A lawyer by training, Scott was admitted to the bar in 1848 and established a practice in Bytown... (2nd time) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
December 14, 1902 | 1908 | ||
| Sir Richard John Cartwright Richard John Cartwright Sir Richard John Cartwright, PC, GCMG, PC was a Canadian businessman and politician. He was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario in a United Empire Loyalist family, the son of Harriet Dobbs Cartwright and the grandson of Richard Cartwright... |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
1909 | October 6, 1911 | ||
| Sir James Alexander Lougheed James Alexander Lougheed Sir James Alexander Lougheed, KCMG, PC, QC was a businessman and politician from Alberta, Canada.-Early Life:Lougheed was born in Brampton, Canada West, to Irish Protestant parents. The family moved to Weston, Canada West , when Lougheed was a child, and he attended King Street Public School Sir... |
Sir Robert Borden Robert Borden Sir Robert Laird Borden, PC, GCMG, KC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as the eighth Prime Minister of Canada from October 10, 1911 to July 10, 1920, and was the third Nova Scotian to hold this office... (9 9th Canadian Ministry The Ninth Canadian Ministry was the first cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden. It governed Canada from 10 October 1911 to 12 October 1917, including only the 12th Canadian Parliament. The government was formed by the old Conservative Party of Canada... /10 10th Canadian Ministry The Tenth Canadian Ministry was the second cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden. It governed Canada from 12 October 1917 to 10 July 1920, including most of the 13th Canadian Parliament. The government was formed by the Unionists, a war-time coalition between the old Conservative... ) |
Conservative Conservative Party of Canada (historical) The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the... |
October 10, 1911 | October 12, 1917 | |
| Unionist Party Unionist Party (Canada) The Unionist Party was formed in 1917 by Members of Parliament in Canada who supported the "Union government" formed by Sir Robert Borden during the First World War.... |
October 12, 1917 | 10 July 1920 | |||
| Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen, PC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served two terms as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada: from July 10, 1920 to December 29, 1921; and from June 29 to September 25, 1926. He was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding... (11 11th Canadian Ministry The Eleventh Canadian Ministry was the first cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Arthur Meighen. It governed Canada from 10 July 1920 to 29 December 1921, including only the last year of the 13th Canadian Parliament. The government was formed by the National Liberal and Conservative Party... ) |
Conservative Conservative Party of Canada (historical) The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the... |
10 July 1920 | December 28, 1921 | ||
| Raoul Dandurand Raoul Dandurand Raoul Dandurand, PC was a Canadian politician and longtime organizer in Quebec for the Liberal Party of Canada.... (1st time) |
William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948... (12 12th Canadian Ministry The Twelfth Canadian Ministry was the first cabinet chaired by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. It governed Canada from 29 December 1921 to 28 June 1926, including the 14th Canadian Parliament and most of the 15th. The government was formed by the Liberal Party of Canada... ) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
December 29, 1921 | June 28, 1926 | |
| William Benjamin Ross William Benjamin Ross William Benjamin Ross was a Canadian politician, lawyer and businessman.A lawyer by training, Ross practiced law in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He also pursued business interests such as helping found the Halifax Electric Tramway Company Limited... Ross held no Cabinet position. |
Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen, PC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served two terms as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada: from July 10, 1920 to December 29, 1921; and from June 29 to September 25, 1926. He was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding... (13 13th Canadian Ministry The Thirteenth Canadian Ministry was the second cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Arthur Meighen. It governed Canada from 29 June 1926 to 25 September 1926, including only the last three months of the 15th Canadian Parliament, all cabinet ministers were acting cabinet ministers as Meighen had... ) |
Conservative Conservative Party of Canada (historical) The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the... |
June 28, 1926 | September 24, 1926 | |
| Raoul Dandurand Raoul Dandurand Raoul Dandurand, PC was a Canadian politician and longtime organizer in Quebec for the Liberal Party of Canada.... (2nd time) |
William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948... (14 14th Canadian Ministry The Fourteenth Canadian Ministry was the second cabinet chaired by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. It governed Canada from 25 September 1926 to 7 August 1930, including only the 16th Canadian Parliament. The government was formed by the Liberal Party of Canada... ) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
September 25, 1926 | August 6, 1930 | |
| Wellington Bartley Willoughby | R. B. Bennett R. B. Bennett Richard Bedford Bennett, 1st Viscount Bennett, PC, KC was a Canadian lawyer, businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He served as the 11th Prime Minister of Canada from August 7, 1930, to October 23, 1935, during the worst of the Great Depression years... (15 15th Canadian Ministry The Fifteenth Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister R. B. Bennett. It governed Canada from 7 August 1930 to 23 October 1935, including only the 17th Canadian Parliament. The government was formed by the old Conservative Party of Canada.... |
Conservative Conservative Party of Canada (historical) The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the... |
August 7, 1930 | February 3, 1932 | |
| Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen Arthur Meighen, PC, QC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served two terms as the ninth Prime Minister of Canada: from July 10, 1920 to December 29, 1921; and from June 29 to September 25, 1926. He was the first Prime Minister born after Confederation, and the only one to represent a riding... |
Conservative Conservative Party of Canada (historical) The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the... |
February 3, 1932 | October 22, 1935 | ||
| Raoul Dandurand Raoul Dandurand Raoul Dandurand, PC was a Canadian politician and longtime organizer in Quebec for the Liberal Party of Canada.... (3rd time) |
William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948... (16 16th Canadian Ministry The Sixteenth Canadian Ministry was the third cabinet chaired by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. It governed Canada from 23 October 1935 to 15 November 1948, including all of the 18th and 19th Canadian Parliaments, as well as the beginning of the 20th. The government was formed by the... ) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
October 23, 1935 | March 11, 1942 | |
| James Horace King James Horace King James Horace King, PC was a physician and Canadian parliamentarian.Born in Chipman, New Brunswick, James King was the son of George Gerald King, a businessman and Canadian politician in his own right... |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
May 26, 1942 | August 24, 1945 | ||
| Wishart McLea Robertson Wishart McLea Robertson Wishart McLea Robertson, PC was a politician in Nova Scotia, Canada.Robertson's paternal grandfather, Robert Robertson, was a member of Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1854 until 1878. His father, Thomas Robertson was also a member of the provincial legislature, as well as serving as a Liberal... |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
August 24, 1945 | November 15, 1948 | ||
| Louis St. Laurent Louis St. Laurent Louis Stephen St. Laurent, PC, CC, QC , was the 12th Prime Minister of Canada from 15 November 1948, to 21 June 1957.... (17 17th Canadian Ministry The Seventeenth Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Louis St-Laurent. It governed Canada from 15 November 1948 to 21 June 1957, including the end of the 20th Canadian Parliament, as well as all of the 21st and 22nd... ) |
November 15, 1948 | October 14, 1953 | |||
| William Ross Macdonald William Ross Macdonald William Ross Macdonald, PC, OC, CD, QC , served as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1968 to 1974, and as Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1949 to 1953.- Early life :... (1st time) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
October 14, 1953 | June 20, 1957 | ||
| John Thomas Haig John Thomas Haig John Thomas Haig, PC was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served as parliamentary leader of the Manitoba Conservative Party in 1921-22.... |
John Diefenbaker John Diefenbaker John George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963... (18 18th Canadian Ministry The Eighteenth Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. It governed Canada from 21 June 1957 to 22 April 1963, including all of the 23rd, 24th, and 25th Canadian Parliaments... ) |
Progressive Conservative Progressive Conservative Party of Canada The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues.... |
October 9, 1957 | May 11, 1958 | |
| Walter Morley Aseltine | Progressive Conservative Progressive Conservative Party of Canada The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues.... |
May 12, 1958 | August 31, 1962 | ||
| Alfred Johnson Brooks Alfred Johnson Brooks Alfred Johnson Brooks, PC, QC was a Canadian parliamentarian.A teacher and barrister by training, Brooks represented King's County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1925 to 1935. He first won a seat in the Canadian House of Commons in the 1935 general election as the Conservative... |
Progressive Conservative Progressive Conservative Party of Canada The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues.... |
August 31, 1962 | April 21, 1963 | ||
| William Ross Macdonald William Ross Macdonald William Ross Macdonald, PC, OC, CD, QC , served as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1968 to 1974, and as Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1949 to 1953.- Early life :... (2nd time) |
Lester B. Pearson Lester B. Pearson Lester Bowles "Mike" Pearson, PC, OM, CC, OBE was a Canadian professor, historian, civil servant, statesman, diplomat, and politician, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for organizing the United Nations Emergency Force to resolve the Suez Canal Crisis... (19 19th Canadian Ministry The Nineteenth Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. It governed Canada from 22 April 1963 to 20 April 1968, including all of the 26th, and 27th Canadian Parliaments... ) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
April 22, 1963 | February 2, 1964 | |
| John Joseph Connolly John Joseph Connolly John Joseph Connolly, PC, OBE, QC was a Canadian parliamentarian.Born in Ottawa, Ontario, he graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1927. He received a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. He studied law at Université de Montréal and was called to the Quebec bar and the... |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
February 3, 1964 | April 20, 1968 | ||
| Paul Joseph James Martin Paul Joseph James Martin Joseph James Guillaume Paul Martin, PC, CC, QC , often referred to as Paul Martin, Sr, was a noted Canadian politician. He was the father of Paul Martin , who served as Prime Minister of Canada from 2003 - 2006.-Early life:Martin was born in Ottawa, Ontario, the son of Lumina and Joseph... Until April 1, 1969, Martin was, as had been typical, Minister without portfolio while holding the unofficial post of leader of the government in the Senate. Thereafter, Leader of the Government in the Senate became an official ministerial office. |
Pierre Trudeau Pierre Trudeau Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,... (20 20th Canadian Ministry The Twentieth Canadian Ministry was the first cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. It governed Canada from 20 April 1968 to 4 June 1979, including all of the 28th, 29th, and 30th Canadian Parliaments. The government was formed by the Liberal Party of Canada... ) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
April 20, 1968 | August 7, 1974 | |
| Ray Perrault Ray Perrault Raymond Joseph Perrault, PC was a Canadian politician. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and of the Canadian Senate.... (1st time) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
August 8, 1974 | June 3, 1979 | ||
| Jacques Flynn Jacques Flynn Jacques Flynn, PC, OC, QC was a Canadian politician and Senator.Born in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, the grandson of the Premier of Quebec Edmund James Flynn, he graduated in law from Université Laval in and was called to the Quebec Bar both in 1939.A Progressive Conservative, Flynn ran unsuccessfully... |
Joe Clark Joe Clark Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and university professor, and former journalist and politician... (21) |
Progressive Conservative Progressive Conservative Party of Canada The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues.... |
June 4, 1979 | March 2, 1980 | |
| Ray Perrault Ray Perrault Raymond Joseph Perrault, PC was a Canadian politician. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and of the Canadian Senate.... (2nd time) |
Pierre Trudeau Pierre Trudeau Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,... (22 22nd Canadian Ministry The Twenty-Second Canadian Ministry was the second cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. It governed Canada from 3 March 1980 to 30 June 1984, including most of the 32nd Canadian Parliament. The government was formed by the Liberal Party of Canada... ) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
March 3, 1980 | September 29, 1982 | |
| Bud Olson Bud Olson Horace Andrew Olson, PC, AOE was a Canadian businessman, politician, and the 14th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. He also served as a Canadian Member of Parliament, Senator, Minister of Agriculture, and Minister of Economic and Regional Development... |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
September 30, 1982 | June 29, 1984 | ||
| Allan MacEachen Allan MacEachen Allan Joseph MacEachen, PC, OC is a retired Canadian politician, a many-time Cabinet minister, a retired Senator, one of Canada's elder statesmen, and was the first Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, serving from 1977 to 1979 and 1980 to 1984.-Early life:Born in Inverness on Nova Scotia's Cape... |
John Turner John Turner John Napier Wyndham Turner, PC, CC, QC is an English Canadian lawyer and retired politician, who served as the 17th Prime Minister of Canada from June 30 to September 17, 1984.... (23 23rd Canadian Ministry The Twenty-Third Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister John Turner. It governed Canada from 30 June 1984 to 17 September 1984, including only the last nine days of the 32nd Canadian Parliament. The government was formed by the Liberal Party of Canada.... ) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
June 30, 1984 | September 16, 1984 | |
| Duff Roblin | Brian Mulroney Brian Mulroney Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S... (24 24th Canadian Ministry The Twenty-Fourth Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. It governed Canada from 17 September 1984 to 25 June 1993, including the 33rd Canadian Parliament and most of the 34th... ) |
Progressive Conservative Progressive Conservative Party of Canada The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues.... |
September 17, 1984 | June 29, 1986 | |
| Lowell Murray Lowell Murray Lowell Murray, PC is a former Canadian senator and long-time activist with the federal Progressive Conservative Party.-Education:... |
Progressive Conservative Progressive Conservative Party of Canada The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues.... |
June 30, 1986 | June 24, 1993 | ||
| Kim Campbell Kim Campbell Avril Phædra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, university professor, diplomat, and writer. She served as the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993... (25 25th Canadian Ministry The Twenty-Fifthth Canadian Ministry was the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Kim Campbell. It governed Canada from 25 June 1993 to 4 November 1993, including only the last two months of the 34th Canadian Parliament... ) |
June 24, 1993 | November 3, 1993 | |||
| Joyce Fairbairn Joyce Fairbairn Joyce Fairbairn, PC is a Canadian Senator and was the first woman to serve as Leader of the Government in the Senate.... |
Jean Chrétien Jean Chrétien Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003.... (26) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
November 4, 1993 | June 10, 1997 | |
| Alasdair Bernard Graham | Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
June 11, 1997 | October 3, 1999 | ||
| J. Bernard Boudreau Bernie Boudreau James Bernard "Bernie" Boudreau, PC, QC is a Canadian lawyer and politician.Boudreau was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from Cape Breton The Lakes, and served as Minister of Finance. From 1996, he served as Minister of Health in the provincial Liberal government of John Savage... |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
October 4, 1999 | January 8, 2001 | ||
| Sharon Carstairs Sharon Carstairs Sharon Carstairs, PC is a Canadian politician and former Senator.-Early life:Carstairs was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the daughter of former Nova Scotia Premier Harold Connolly and his wife Vivian... |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
January 9, 2001 | December 11, 2003 | ||
| Jack Austin Jack Austin Jacob "Jack" Austin, PC, OBC is a Canadian former politician and former member of the Canadian Senate. He was appointed to the upper house by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau on August 8, 1975 and represented British Columbia. At the time of his retirement he was the longest serving Senator.-Life... |
Paul Martin Paul Martin Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.... (27) |
Liberal Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative... |
December 12, 2003 | February 6, 2006 | |
| Marjory LeBreton Marjory LeBreton Marjory LeBreton, PC is Leader of the Government in the Canadian Senate, a position of cabinet-rank; and vice-chair of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Canada... |
Stephen Harper Stephen Harper Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election... (28) |
Conservative Conservative Party of Canada The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum... |
February 6, 2006 | Incumbent |
Notes