History of Prime Minister of Canada in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 23, 2026

The Prime Minister of Canada is the head of government, operating under the Westminster system. They must maintain the confidence of the House of Commons, typically leading the largest party or a coalition as a Member of Parliament (MP). The Prime Minister selects ministers to form the Cabinet, effectively leading the executive branch. This position is central to Canadian governance and political leadership.

1919: Nickle Resolution

In 1919, the Nickle Resolution was passed, declaring that it should be against the policy of the Canadian Sovereign to bestow aristocratic or chivalric titles to Canadians.

1925: Coalition possibility

Following parliamentary dissolution, the last time forming a coalition with other minority parties was entertained was in 1925.

1925: King loses his seat in the federal election

In 1925, William Lyon Mackenzie King lost his seat in the federal election but remained prime minister and briefly governed without a seat in the House of Commons before winning a by-election.

1941: Bennett elevated to the peerage

In 1941, six years after he stepped down as prime minister, Bennett was elevated to the peerage of the United Kingdom by King George VI as Viscount Bennett, of Mickleham in the County of Surrey and of Calgary and Hopewell in Canada.

1945: King loses his seat again

In 1945, William Lyon Mackenzie King lost his seat again in the Canadian federal election, despite his party being elected government, and briefly governed without a seat in the House of Commons before winning a by-election.

1947: Letters Patent Issued

In 1947, the position of prime minister is mentioned only in a few sections of the Letters Patent issued by King George VI.

1968: Pierre Trudeau's tenure begins

Beginning in 1968, Pierre Trudeau is credited with consolidating power in the PMO throughout his tenure as prime minister.

1980: Pierre Trudeau's second tenure

Starting in 1980, Pierre Trudeau continued consolidating power in the PMO throughout his second tenure as prime minister.

1982: Constitution Act

In 1982, the position of prime minister is mentioned only in a few sections of the Constitution Act.

1984: Turner replaces Trudeau

In 1984, John Turner replaced Pierre Trudeau as leader of the Liberal Party and was subsequently appointed prime minister while not holding a seat in the House of Commons.

2007: Amendment to the Canada Elections Act

In 2007, an amendment to the Canada Elections Act, Section 56.1(2), limited the term of a Parliament to four years, with election day being set as the third Monday in October of the fourth calendar year after the previous polling date.

2008: Public Opinion Survey

In 2008, a public opinion survey indicated that 51 percent of Canadians believed they directly elect the prime minister.

2014: Reform Act

In 2014, the Reform Act codifies the process by which a caucus may trigger a party leadership review and choose an interim leader, making a prime minister more accountable to the MPs in one's party.

April 2024: Prime Minister's Salary

As of April 2024, the prime minister's annual salary is $406,200, consisting of an MP's salary of $203,100 and the prime minister's additional salary of $203,100.