Placeholder text
See also:
Heads of State of Canada
Canada is a constitutional monarchy, and the head of state is the monarch, the King/Queen of Canada. The Governor General of Canada is the representative of the monarch in the country, and exercises the monarch’s powers and duties in Canada.
From 1867 until 1931, the governor general was appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (although with increasing input from the Prime Minister of Canada over time), and indeed the office was also the representative of the British government in Canada – the first British high commissioner (ambassador) to Canada was only appointed in 1928, as the governor general had filled that role until then. By the terms of the Statute of Westminster (1931), Canada gained a significantly greater degree of formal independence; the monarch was now King/Queen of Canada and appointed their representative on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada.
Governor General of Canada
Charles Stanley Monck, 4th Viscount Monck
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 10 1819; d. November 29 1894.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Prime minister(s): John A. Macdonald.
Titles of nobility: Viscount Monck in the Peerage of Ireland (1849 – 1894); Baron Monck in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1866 – 1894).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1852 – 1857); Governor General of the Province of Canada (1861 – 1867).
1867 – 1868
John Young, 1st Baron Lisgar
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 31 1807; d. October 6 1876.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Prime minister(s): John A. Macdonald.
Titles of nobility: Baron Lisgar in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1870 – 1876).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1831 – 1855); Chief Secretary for Ireland (1853 – 1855); Governor of New South Wales (1861 – 1867).
1869 – 1872
Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Earl of Dufferin
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 21 1826; d. February 12 1902.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Prime minister(s): John A. Macdonald (1872 – 1873); Alexander Mackenzie (1873 – 1878).
Titles of nobility: Baron Dufferin and Claneboye in the Peerage of Ireland (1841 – 1902); Baron Claneboye in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1850 – 1902); Earl of Dufferin in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1871 – 1902); Marquess of Dufferin and Ava in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1888 – 1902).
Other prominent offices: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1868 – 1872); Paymaster General (1868 – 1872); British Ambassador to Russia (1879 – 1881); British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire (1881 – 1884); Viceroy of India (1884 – 1888); British Ambassador to Italy (1888 – 1892); British Ambassador to France (1891 – 1896); Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1892 – 1895).
1872 – 1878
John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquess of Lorne
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 6 1845; d. May 2 1914.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Prime minister(s): John A. Macdonald.
Titles of nobility: Duke of Argyll in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1900 – 1914); Duke of Argyll in the Peerage of Scotland (1900 – 1914).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1868 – 1878; 1895 – 1900).
1878 – 1883
Henry Charles Keith Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 14 1845; d. June 3 1927.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Prime minister(s): John A. Macdonald.
Titles of nobility: Marquess of Lansdowne in the Peerage of Great Britain (1866 – 1927); Lord Nairne in the Peerage of Scotland (1895 – 1927)
Other prominent offices: Viceroy of India (1888 – 1894); Secretary of State for War (UK) (1895 – 1900); Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (UK) (1900 – 1905); Leader of the House of Lords (UK) (1903 – 1905); Leader of the Conservative Party (UK) (1911 – 1916)
1883 – 1888
Frederick Arthur Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley of Preston
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 15 1841; d. June 14 1908.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Prime minister(s): John A. Macdonald (1888 – 1891); John Abbott (1891 – 1892); John Thompson (1892 – 1893).
Titles of nobility: Baron Stanley of Preston in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1886 – 1908); Earl of Derby in the Peerage of England (1893 – 1908).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1865 – 1886); Secretary of State for War (1878 – 1880); Secretary of State for the Colonies (1885 – 1886); President of the Board of Trade (1886 – 1888).
1888 – 1893
John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, 7th Earl of Aberdeen
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 3 1847; d. March 7 1934.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Prime minister(s): John Thompson (1892 – 1894); Mackenzie Bowell (1894 – 1895); Charles Tupper (1895 – 1896); Wilfrid Laurier (1896 – 1898).
Titles of nobility: Earl of Aberdeen in the Peerage of Scotland (1870 – 1934); Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1916 – 1934)
Other prominent offices: Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1886; 1905 – 1915).
1893 – 1898
Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 9 1845; d. March 1 1914.
Monarch(s): Victoria (1898 – 1901); Edward VII (1901 – 1904).
Prime minister(s): Wilfrid Laurier.
Noble titles: Earl of Minto in the peerage of the United Kingdom (1891 – 1914).
Other prominent offices: Viceroy of India (1905 – 1910).
1898 – 1904
Albert Henry George Grey, 4th Earl Grey
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 28 1851; d. August 29 1917.
Monarch(s): Edward VII (1904 – 1910); George V (1910 – 1911).
Prime minister(s): Wilfrid Laurier (1904 – 1911); Robert Borden (1911).
Titles of nobility: Earl Grey in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1894 – 1917).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1880 – 1886); Administrator of Southern Rhodesia (1896 – 1898).
1904 – 1911
Field Marshal Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 1 1850; d. January 16 1942.
Monarch(s): George V.
Prime minister(s): Robert Borden.
Titles of nobility: Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1874 – 1942).
Military ranks: Promoted to major-general, 1880. Promoted to lieutenant-general, 1886. Promoted to general, 1893. Promoted to field marshal, 1902.
Other prominent offices: Commander-in-Chief, Bombay Army (1886 – 1890); General Officer Commanding Southern District (1890 – 1893); General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Aldershot Command (1893 – 1898); Commander-in-Chief, Ireland (1900 – 1904); Great Master of the Order of the Bath (1901 – 1942); Inspector-General of the Forces (1904 – 1907); Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, Mediterranean (1907 – 1909).
1911 – 1916
Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 31 1868; d. May 6 1938.
Monarch(s): George V.
Prime minister(s): Robert Borden (1916 – 1920); Arthur Meighen (1920 – 1921).
Titles of nobility: Duke of Devonshire in the Peerage of England (1908 – 1938).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1891 – 1908); Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1900 – 1903); Chief Whip of the Government in the House of Lords (1915 – 1916); Secretary of State for the Colonies (1922 – 1924).
1916 – 1921
General Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Baron Byng of Vimy
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 11 1862; d. June 6 1935.
Monarch(s): George V.
Prime minister(s): Arthur Meighen (1921); William Lyon Mackenzie King (1921 – 1926); Arthur Meighen (1926); William Lyon Mackenzie King (1926).
Titles of nobility: Baron Byng of Vimy in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1919 – 1935); Viscount Byng of Vimy in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1928 – 1935).
Military ranks: Promoted to major-general, 1909. Promoted to lieutenant-general, 1915. Promoted to general, 1917. Promoted to field marshal, 1932.
Other prominent offices: General Officer Commanding British Troops in Egypt (1912 – 1914); General Officer Commanding Canadian Corps (1916 – 1917).
1921 – 1926
Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Viscount Willingdon
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 12 1866; d. August 12 1941.
Monarch(s): George V.
Prime minister(s): William Lyon Mackenzie King (1926 – 1930); Richard Bedford Bennett (1930 – 1931).
Titles of nobility: Baron Willingdon in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1910 – 1941); Viscount Willingdon in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1924 – 1941); Earl of Willingdon in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1931 – 1941); Marquess of Willingdon in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1936 – 1941)
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1900 – 1910); Governor of Bombay (1913 – 1918); Governor of Madras (1919 – 1924); Viceroy of India (1931 – 1936); Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (1936 – 1941)
1926 – 1931
Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, 9th Earl of Bessborough
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 27 1880; d. March 10 1956.
Monarch(s): George V.
Prime minister(s): Richard Bedford Bennett (1931 – 1935); William Lyon Mackenzie King (1935).
Titles of nobility: Earl of Bessborough in the Peerage of Ireland (1920 – 1956); Viscount Duncannon in the Peerarge of Ireland (1920 – 1956); Baron Bessborough in the Peerage of Ireland (1920 – 1956); Baron Duncannon in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1920 – 1956); Baron Ponsonby of Sysonby in the Peerage of Great Britain (1920 – 1956); Earl of Bessborough in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1937 – 1956).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1910; 1913 – 1920).
1931 – 1935
John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 26 1875; d. February 11 1940.
Monarch(s): George V (1935 – 1936); Edward VIII (1936); George VI (1936 – 1940).
Prime minister(s): William Lyon Mackenzie King.
Titles of nobility: Baron Tweedsmuir in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1935 – 1940).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (1927 – 1935).
1935 – 1940
Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 14 1874; d. January 16 1957.
Monarch(s): George VI.
Prime minister(s): William Lyon Mackenzie King.
Titles of royalty: Prince of Teck in the Kingdom of Württemberg (1874 – 1917).
Titles of nobility: Earl of Athlone in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1917 – 1957).
Other prominent offices: Governor-General of South Africa (1924 – 1930).
1940 – 1946
Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander, 1st Viscount Alexander of Tunis
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 10 1891; d. June 16 1969.
Monarch(s): George VI.
Prime minister(s): William Lyon Mackenzie King (1946 – 1948); Louis St. Laurent (1948 – 1952).
Titles of nobility: Viscount Alexander of Tunis in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1946 – 1969); Earl Alexander of Tunis in the Peerage of the United Kingdom (1952 – 1969).
Military ranks: Promoted to major-general, 1937. Promoted to lieutenant-general, 1938. Promoted to general, 1942. Promoted to field marshal, 1944.
Other prominent offices: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command (1940 – 1942); Commander-in-Chief, Middle East Command (1942 – 1943); Commander-in-Chief, 15th Army Group (1943 – 1944); Supreme Commander, Allied Force Headquarters (1944 – 1945); Minister of Defence (1952 – 1954); Constable of the Tower (1960 – 1965).
1946 – 1952
Charles Vincent Massey
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 20 1887; d. December 30 1967.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime minister(s): Louis St. Laurent (1952 – 1957); John Diefenbaker (1957 – 1959).
Other prominent offices: Minister of Canada to the United States (1926 – 1930); High Commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom (1935 – 1946).
1952 – 1959
General Georges-Philias Vanier
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 23 1888; d. March 5 1967.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime minister(s): John Diefenbaker (1959 – 1963); Lester Pearson (1963 – 1967).
Other prominent offices: Minister/Ambassador of Canada to France (1938 – 1953).
1959 – 1967
Daniel Roland Michener
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 19 1900; d. August 6 1991.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime minister(s): Lester Pearson (1967 – 1968); Pierre Trudeau (1968 – 1974).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (1945 – 1948); Provincial Secretary and Registrar of Ontario (1946 – 1948); Member of the Parliament of Canada (1953 – 1962); Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada (1957 – 1962); High Commissioner of Canada to India (1964 – 1967); Ambassador of Canada to Nepal (1964 – 1967).
1967 – 1974
Joseph Jules Léger
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 4 1913; d. November 22 1980.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime minister(s): Pierre Trudeau.
Other prominent offices: Ambassador of Canada to Mexico (1953 – 1954); Ambassador of Canada to NATO (1958 – 1962); Ambassador of Canada to Italy (1962 – 1964); Ambassador of Canada to France (1964 – 1968); Ambassador of Canada to Belgium (1973 – 1974).
1974 – 1979
Edward Richard Schreyer
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 21 1935.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime minister(s): Pierre Trudeau (1979); Joe Clark (1979 – 1980); Pierre Trudeau (1980 – 1984).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (1958 – 1965; 1969 – 1979); Member of the Parliament of Canada (1965 – 1969); Leader of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba (1969 – 1979); Premier of Manitoba (1969 – 1977); High Commissioner of Canada to Australia (1984 – 1988).
1979 – 1984
Jeanne Mathilde Sauvé
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 26 1922; d. January 26 1993.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime minister(s): Pierre Trudeau (1984); John Turner (1984); Brian Mulroney (1984 – 1990).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1972 – 1984); Minister of the Environment (1974 – 1975); Minister of Communications (1975 – 1979); Speaker of the House of Commons (1980 – 1984).
1984 – 1990
Ramon John “Ray” Hnatyshyn
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 16 1934; d. December 18 2002.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime minister(s): Brian Mulroney (1990 – 1993); Kim Campbell (1993); Jean Chrétien (1993 – 1995).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1974 – 1988); Minister of Energy, Mines, and Resources (1979 – 1980); President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada (1984 – 1985); Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada (1986 – 1988).
1990 – 1995
Roméo-Adrien LeBlanc
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 18 1928; d. June 24 2009.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime minister(s): Jean Chrétien.
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1972 – 1984); Minister of the Environment (1976 – 1979); Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (1979; 1980 – 1982); Minister of Public Works (1982 – 1984); Speaker of the Senate (1993 – 1994).
1995 – 1999
Adrienne Louise Clarkson
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 10 1939.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime Minister(s): Jean Chrétien (1999 – 2003); Paul Martin (2003 – 2005).
Other prominent offices: None.
1999 – 2005
Michaëlle Jean
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 6 1957.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime Minister(s): Paul Martin (2005 – 2006); Stephen Harper (2006 – 2010).
Other prominent offices: Chancellor of the University of Ottawa (2012 – 2015).
2005 – 2010
David Lloyd Johnston
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 28 1941.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime Minister(s): Stephen Harper (2010 – 2015); Justin Trudeau (2015 – 2017).
Other prominent offices: Principal and Vice Chancellor of McGill University (1979 – 1994); President of the University of Waterloo (1999 – 2010).
2010 – 2017
Julie Payette
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 20 1963.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Prime minister(s): Justin Trudeau.
Other prominent offices: None.
2017 – 2021
Mary Jeannie May Simon
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 21 1947.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II (2021 – 2022); Charles III (2022 – present).
Prime minister(s): Justin Trudeau.
Other prominent offices: Chancellor of Trent University (1995 – 1999); Ambassador of Canada to Denmark (1999 – 2002).
2021 – present
Heads of Government of Canada
Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
Sir John Alexander Macdonald
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 10/11 1815; d. June 6 1891.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Governor(s)-General: The Viscount Monck (1867 – 1868); The Lord Lisgar (1869 – 1872); The Earl of Dufferin (1872 – 1873).
Other offices held: Joint Premier of the Province of Canada (1856 – 1867); Member of the Parliament of Canada (1867 – 1891); Leader of the Liberal-Conservative/Conservative Party of Canada (1867 – 1891); Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1867 – 1873); Leader of the Official Opposition (1873 – 1878); Minister of the Interior (1878 – 1883); Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs (1878 – 1887); President of the Privy Council (1883 – 1889); Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs (1888); Minister of the Interior (1888); Minister of Railways and Canals (1889 – 1891).
Liberal-Conservative Party of Canada
1867 – 1873
Alexander Mackenzie
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 28 1822; d. April 17 1892.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Governor(s)-General: The Earl of Dufferin.
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1867 – 1892); Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada (1873 – 1880); Leader of the Official Opposition (1873); Minister of Public Works (1873 – 1878); Leader of the Official Opposition (1878 – 1880).
Liberal Party of Canada
1873 – 1878
Sir John Alexander Macdonald
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 10/11 1815; d. June 6 1891.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Governor(s)-General: The Earl of Dufferin (1878); The Marquess of Lorne (1878 – 1883); The Marquess of Lansdowne (1883 – 1888); The Lord Stanley of Preston (1888 – 1891).
Other offices held: Joint Premier of the Province of Canada (1856 – 1867); Member of the Parliament of Canada (1867 – 1891); Leader of the Liberal-Conservative/Conservative Party of Canada (1867 – 1891); Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1867 – 1873); Leader of the Official Opposition (1873 – 1878); Minister of the Interior (1878 – 1883); Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs (1878 – 1887); President of the Privy Council (1883 – 1889); Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs (1888); Minister of the Interior (1888); Minister of Railways and Canals (1889 – 1891)
Conservative Party of Canada
1878 – 1891
John Joseph Caldwell Abbott
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 12 1821; d. October 30 1893.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Governor(s)-General: The Lord Stanley of Preston.
Other prominent offices: Leader of the Government in the Senate (1887 – 1893); Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (1891 – 1892); President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada (1891 – 1892).
Conservative Party of Canada
1891 – 1892
Sir John Sparrow David Thompson
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 10 1845; d. December 12 1894.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Governor(s)-General: The Lord Stanley of Preston (1892 – 1893); The Earl of Aberdeen (1893 – 1894).
Other prominent offices: Premier of Nova Scotia (1882); Member of the Parliament of Canada (1885 – 1894); Minister of Justice (1885 – 1894); Leader of the Conservative Party (1892 – 1894).
Conservative Party of Canada
1892 – 1894
Sir Mackenzie Bowell
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 27 1823; d. December 10 1917.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Governor(s)-General: The Earl of Aberdeen.
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1867 – 1892); Minister of Customs (1878 – 1892); Minister of Railways and Canals (1891 – 1892); Member of the Senate of Canada (1892 – 1917); Minister of Militia and Defence (1892); Minister of Trade and Commerce (1892 – 1894); Leader of the Government in the Senate (1893 – 1896); Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (1894 – 1896); President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada (1894 – 1896); Minister of Militia and Defence (1896); Minister of Finance (1896); Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (1896 – 1906).
Conservative Party of Canada
1894 – 1896
Sir Charles Tupper, 1st Baronet
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 2 1821; d. October 30 1915.
Monarch(s): Victoria.
Governor(s)-General: The Earl of Aberdeen.
Other prominent offices: Premier of Nova Scotia (1864 – 1867); Member of the Parliament of Canada (1867 – 1884; 1887 – 1888; 1896 – 1900); President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada (1870 – 1872); Minister of Inland Revenue (1872 – 1873); Minister of Customs (1873); Minister of Public Works (1878 – 1879); Minister of Railways and Canals (1879 – 1884); High Commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom (1883 – 1896); Minister of Finance (1887 – 1888); Secretary of State for Canada (1896); Leader of the Opposition (1896 – 1901).
Conservative Party of Canada
1896
Sir Henri Charles Wilfrid Laurier
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 20 1841; d. February 17 1919.
Monarch(s): Victoria (1896 – 1901); Edward VII (1901 – 1910); George V (1910 – 1911).
Governor(s)-General: The Earl of Aberdeen (1896 – 1898); The Earl of Minto (1898 – 1904); The Earl Grey (1904 – 1911).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1874 – 1919); Minister of Inland Revenue (1877 – 1878); Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada (1887 – 1919); Leader of the Opposition (1887 – 1896); President of the Privy Council (1896 – 1911); Leader of the Opposition (1911 – 1919).
Liberal Party of Canada
1896 – 1911
Sir Robert Laird Borden
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 26 1854; d. June 10 1937.
Monarch(s): George V.
Governor(s)-General: The Earl Grey (1911); The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1911 – 1916); The Duke of Devonshire (1916 – 1920).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1896 – 1904; 1905 – 1921); Leader of the Conservative Party (1901 – 1920); Leader of the Opposition (1901 – 1911); Secretary of State for External Affairs (1912 – 1920); President of the Privy Council (1911 – 1917).
Conservative Party of Canada (1911 – 1917); Unionist Party (1917 – 1920)
1911 – 1920
Arthur Meighen
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 16 1874; d. August 5 1960.
Monarch(s): George V.
Governor(s)-General: The Duke of Devonshire (1920 – 1921); The Lord Byng of Vimy (1921).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1908 – 1921; 1922 – 1926); Solicitor General of Canada (1913 – 1917); Secretary of State for Canada (1917); Minister of Mines (1917); Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs (1917 – 1920); Minister of the Interior (1917 – 1920); Minister of Mines (1919 – 1920); Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (1920 – 1926; 1941 – 1942); Secretary of State for External Affairs (1920 – 1921); Secretary of State for External Affairs (1926); President of the Privy Council (1926); Member of the Senate of Canada (1932 – 1942); Leader of the Government in the Senate (1932 – 1935); Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (1935 – 1942).
Unionist Party
1920 – 1921
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 17 1874; d. July 22 1950.
Monarch(s): George V.
Governor(s)-General: The Lord Byng of Vimy.
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1908 – 1911; 1919 – 1925; 1926 – 1949); Minister of Labour (1909 – 1911); Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada (1919 – 1948); Leader of the Official Opposition (1919 – 1921; 1926; 1930 – 1935); Secretary of State for External Affairs (1921 – 1926; 1926 – 1930; 1935 – 1946); President of the Privy Council (1921 – 1926; 1926 – 1930; 1935 – 1948).
Liberal Party of Canada
1921 – 1926
Arthur Meighen
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 16 1874; d. August 5 1960.
Monarch(s): George V.
Governor(s)-General: The Lord Byng of Vimy.
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1908 – 1921; 1922 – 1926); Solicitor General of Canada (1913 – 1917); Secretary of State for Canada (1917); Minister of Mines (1917); Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs (1917 – 1920); Minister of the Interior (1917 – 1920); Minister of Mines (1919 – 1920); Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (1920 – 1926; 1941 – 1942); Secretary of State for External Affairs (1920 – 1921); Secretary of State for External Affairs (1926); President of the Privy Council (1926); Member of the Senate of Canada (1932 – 1942); Leader of the Government in the Senate (1932 – 1935); Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (1935 – 1942).
Conservative Party of Canada
1926
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 17 1874; d. July 22 1950.
Monarch(s): George V.
Governor(s)-General: The Lord Byng of Vimy (1926); The Viscount Willingdon (1926 – 1930).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1908 – 1911; 1919 – 1925; 1926 – 1949); Minister of Labour (1909 – 1911); Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada (1919 – 1948); Leader of the Official Opposition (1919 – 1921; 1926; 1930 – 1935); Secretary of State for External Affairs (1921 – 1926; 1926 – 1930; 1935 – 1946); President of the Privy Council (1921 – 1926; 1926 – 1930; 1935 – 1948).
Liberal Party of Canada
1926 – 1930
Richard Bedford Bennett
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 3 1870; d. June 26 1947.
Monarch(s): George V.
Governor(s)-General: The Viscount Willingdon (1930 – 1931); The Earl of Bessborough (1931 – 1935).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories (1898 – 1905); Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta (1895 – 1905; 1909 – 1911); Leader of the Conservative Party of Alberta (1905; 1909 – 1910); Leader of the Official Opposition of Alberta (1909 – 1910); Member of the Parliament of Canada (1911 – 1917; 1925 – 1939); Minister of Justice (1921); Minister of Finance (1926); Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs (1926); Minister of the Interior (1926); Minister of Mines (1926); Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (1927 – 1938); Leader of the Official Opposition (1927 – 1930; 1935 – 1938); Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs (1930 – 1935); Secretary of State for External Affairs (1930 – 1935); President of the Privy Council (1930 – 1935); Minister of Finance (1930 – 1932).
Conservative Party of Canada
1930 – 1935
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 17 1874; d. July 22 1950.
Monarch(s): George V (1935 – 1936); Edward VIII (1936); George VI (1936 – 1948).
Governor(s)-General: The Earl of Bessborough (1935); The Lord Tweedsmuir (1935 – 1940); The Earl of Athlone (1940 – 1946); The Viscount Alexander (1946 – 1948).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1908 – 1911; 1919 – 1925; 1926 – 1949); Minister of Labour (1909 – 1911); Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada (1919 – 1948); Leader of the Official Opposition (1919 – 1921; 1926; 1930 – 1935); Secretary of State for External Affairs (1921 – 1926; 1926 – 1930; 1935 – 1946); President of the Privy Council (1921 – 1926; 1926 – 1930; 1935 – 1948).
Liberal Party of Canada
1935 – 1948
Louis Stephen St. Laurent
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 1 1882; d. July 25 1973.
Monarch(s): George VI (1948 – 1952); Elizabeth II (1952 – 1957).
Governor(s)-General: The Viscount Alexander of Tunis (1948 – 1952); Vincent Massey (1952 – 1957).
Other prominent offices: Member of the Parliament of Canada (1942 – 1958); Minister of Justice (1941 – 1946); Secretary of State for External Affairs (1946 – 1948); Minister of Justice (1948); Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada (1948 – 1958); President of the Privy Council (1948 – 1957); Leader of the Official Opposition (1957 – 1958).
Liberal Party of Canada
1948 – 1957
John George Diefenbaker
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 18 1895; d. August 16 1979
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1957 – 1963
Lester Bowles Pearson
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 23 1897; d. December 27 1972
Liberal Party of Canada
1963 – 1968
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 18 1919; d. September 28 2000
Liberal Party of Canada
1968 – 1979
Charles Joseph “Joe” Clark
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 5 1939
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1979 – 1980
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 18 1919; d. September 28 2000
Liberal Party of Canada
1980 – 1984
John Napier Wyndham Turner
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 7 1929; d. September 19 2020.
Liberal Party of Canada
1984
Martin Brian Mulroney
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 20 1939; d. February 29 2024.
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1984 – 1993
Avril Phaedra Douglas “Kim” Campbell
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 10 1947.
Monarch(s): Elizabeth II.
Governor(s)-General: Ray Hnatyshyn.
Other prominent offices: Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (1986 – 1988); Member of the Parliament of Canada (1988 – 1993); Minister of Justice (1990 – 1993); Minister of Veterans Affairs (1993); Minister of National Defence (1993); Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (1993).
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1993
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 11 1934.
Liberal Party of Canada
1993 – 2003
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 28 1938.
Liberal Party of Canada
2003 – 2006
Stephen Joseph Harper
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 30 1959.
Conservative Party of Canada
2006 – 2015
Justin Pierre James Trudeau
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 25 1971.
Liberal Party of Canada
2015 – present
Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 11 1934.
Liberal Party of Canada
1984
John James “Jean” Charest
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 24 1958.
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1993
Official Opposition of Canada
Leader of the Official Opposition of Canada
Alexander Mackenzie
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 28 1822; d. April 17 1892.
Liberal Party of Canada
1873
Sir John Alexander Macdonald
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 10/11 1815; d. June 6 1891
Other offices held: Prime Minister of Canada (1867 – 1873; 1878 – 1891); Joint Premier of the Province of Canada (1856 – 1867); Member of the Parliament of Canada (1867 – 1891); Leader of the Liberal-Conservative/Conservative Party of Canada (1867 – 1891); Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1867 – 1873); Minister of the Interior (1878 – 1883); Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs (1878 – 1887); President of the Privy Council (1883 – 1889); Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs (1888); Minister of the Interior (1888); Minister of Railways and Canals (1889 – 1891)
Conservative Party of Canada
1873 – 1878
Alexander Mackenzie
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 28 1822; d. April 17 1892.
Liberal Party of Canada
1878 – 1880
Dominick Edward Blake
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 13 1833; d. March 1 1912.
Liberal Party of Canada
1880 – 1887
Henri Charles Wilfrid Laurier
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 20 1841; d. February 17 1919
Liberal Party of Canada
1887 – 1896
Sir Charles Tupper, 1st Baronet
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 2 1821; d. October 30 1915.
Note: This was a caretaker government.
Conservative Party of Canada
1896 – 1901
Robert Laird Borden
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 26 1854; d. June 10 1937
Conservative Party of Canada
1901 – 1911
Sir Henri Charles Wilfrid Laurier
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 20 1841; d. February 17 1919
Liberal Party of Canada
1911 – 1919
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 17 1874; d. July 22 1950
Liberal Party of Canada
1919 – 1921
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 17 1874; d. July 22 1950
Liberal Party of Canada
1926
Hugh Guthrie
Date of birth/date of death: b. August 13 1866; d. November 3 1939.
Conservative Party of Canada
1926 – 1927
Richard Bedford Bennett
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 3 1870; d. June 26 1947
Conservative Party of Canada
1927 – 1930
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 17 1874; d. July 22 1950
Liberal Party of Canada
1930 – 1935
Richard Bedford Bennett
Date of birth/date of death: b. July 3 1870; d. June 26 1947
Conservative Party of Canada
1935 – 1938
Robert James Manion
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 19 1881; d. July 2 1943.
Conservative Party of Canada
1938 – 1940
John Bracken
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 22 1883; d. March 18 1969.
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1945 – 1948
George Alexander Drew
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 7 1894; d. January 4 1973
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1948 – 1954
William Earl Rowe
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 13 1894; d. February 9 1984.
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1954 – 1955
George Alexander Drew
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 7 1894; d. January 4 1973
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1955 – 1956
William Earl Rowe
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 13 1894; d. February 9 1984.
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1956
John George Diefenbaker
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 18 1895; d. August 16 1979
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1956 – 1957
Louis Stephen St. Laurent
Date of birth/date of death: b. February 1 1882; d. July 25 1973
Liberal Party of Canada
1957 – 1958
Lester Bowles Pearson
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 23 1897; d. December 27 1972
Liberal Party of Canada
1958 – 1963
John George Diefenbaker
Date of birth/date of death: b. September 18 1895; d. August 16 1979
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1963 – 1967
Michael Starr
Date of birth/date of death: b. November 15 1910; d. March 16 2000.
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1967
Robert Lorne Stanfield
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 11 1914; d. December 16 2003
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1967 – 1976
Charles Joseph “Joe” Clark
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 5 1939
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1976 – 1979
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau
Date of birth/date of death: b. October 18 1919; d. September 28 2000
Liberal Party of Canada
1979 – 1980
Charles Joseph “Joe” Clark
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 5 1939
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1980 – 1983
Martin Brian Mulroney
Date of birth/date of death: b. March 20 1939; d. February 29 2024.
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
1983 – 1984
John Napier Wyndham Turner
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 7 1929; d. September 19 2020.
Liberal Party of Canada
1984 – 1990
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien
Date of birth/date of death: b. January 11 1934.
Liberal Party of Canada
1990 – 1993
Lucien Bouchard
Date of birth/date of death: b. December 22 1938.
Bloc Québécois
1993 – 1996
Ernest Preston Manning
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 10 1942.
Reform Party of Canada
1997 – 2000
Stephen Joseph Harper
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 30 1959.
Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance (2002 – 2003); Conservative Party of Canada (2003 – 2004)
2002 – 2004
Stephen Joseph Harper
Date of birth/date of death: b. April 30 1959.
Conservative Party of Canada
2004 – 2006
Michael Grant Ignatieff
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 12 1947
Liberal Party of Canada
2008 – 2011
Andrew James Scheer
Date of birth/date of death: b. May 20 1979.
Conservative Party of Canada
2017 – 2020
Pierre Marcel Poilievre
Date of birth/date of death: b. June 3 1979.
Conservative Party of Canada
2022 – present