Who's who in Canadian politics

Your direct representative in Ottawa. Votes on every federal bill, speaks in the House, asks questions of the government during Question Period, and sits on committees that examine legislation clause by clause. Most MPs hold no other formal role. They are backbenchers, the rank-and-file of their party.

Chosen:

Elected by voters in each of 343 ridings (electoral districts)

Term:

Up to 4 years (until next election)

Head of government. Picks the Cabinet, sets the legislative agenda, and represents Canada abroad. The current PM is also still an MP for their own riding, and votes on bills like everyone else. The PM's actual constitutional power is heavy. They can dissolve Parliament and call an election almost at will.

Chosen:

The leader of whichever party has the most seats in the House of Commons after an election. Not voted on by the public directly.

Term:

Up to 4 years (until next election or vote of non-confidence)

Runs a specific federal department such as Finance, Health, Foreign Affairs, or Justice. Cabinet collectively decides government policy. Each minister is also still an MP for their riding and votes on bills like any other MP. Ministers are sworn into the King's Privy Council and use the title "The Honourable" for life.

Chosen:

Appointed by the Prime Minister (almost always from sitting MPs)

Term:

Serves at the Prime Minister's pleasure

Stands in for the Prime Minister when needed. Not constitutionally required and historically often left vacant. Stephen Harper had none for most of his government. Usually held alongside another Cabinet portfolio.

Chosen:

Appointed by the Prime Minister (optional position)

Term:

Serves at the PM's pleasure

Leads the official opposition in the House. Sets opposition strategy, leads Question Period attacks on the government, and earns a paid Crown salary on top of their MP pay. Often becomes Prime Minister in the next election if the government falls out of favour.

Chosen:

Leader of the party with the second-most seats in the House of Commons

Term:

Until they lose their party's leadership or an election

Runs the House day to day. Decides who speaks next, enforces rules of decorum, and casts tie-breaking votes. By tradition the Speaker does not take partisan positions while in the role and does not usually vote on legislation (only when a tie needs breaking).

Chosen:

Elected by secret ballot of all other MPs at the start of each Parliament

Term:

Until the next election or resignation

Members of the Senate, the upper chamber of Parliament. Reviews bills passed by the House and can amend or reject them. Since 2016 most new senators are non-partisan (independent) rather than party-affiliated, which has changed the chamber's character.

Chosen:

Recommended by an independent advisory board, formally appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice

Term:

Until age 75

Runs the Senate day to day. Equivalent role to the Speaker of the House, but appointed rather than elected by peers. Holds a Cabinet-level salary and is fourth in the order of precedence after the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice.

Chosen:

Appointed by the Governor General on the PM's recommendation

Term:

Serves at the PM's pleasure

The King's representative in Canada. Largely ceremonial: gives royal assent to bills, opens each session of Parliament with the Throne Speech, and on rare occasions exercises reserve powers such as inviting another party to form government after a minority government falls. The current monarch (King Charles III) almost never personally intervenes. The Governor General is who fills that constitutional role day to day.

Chosen:

Appointed by the King on the Prime Minister's recommendation

Term:

Typically 5 years

The provincial equivalent of an MP. Title varies. MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) in BC, AB, SK, MB, NB, NS, NL, PE, plus the territories; MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament) in Ontario; MNA (Member of the National Assembly) in Quebec. Same role though. Votes on provincial bills, represents constituents, sits on committees.

Chosen:

Elected by voters in each provincial electoral riding

Term:

Up to 4 to 5 years (varies by province)

Head of government for a province or territory. Provincial equivalent of the Prime Minister. Sets the agenda, picks the provincial Cabinet, and signs bills before they go to the Lieutenant Governor for assent. Often the most powerful elected position day to day for residents, because the province handles more of what affects daily life than Ottawa does.

Chosen:

Leader of the party with the most seats in the provincial legislature after an election

Term:

Up to 4 to 5 years

Runs a provincial department: Health, Education, Transportation, Natural Resources, and so on. Like federal ministers, they remain provincial legislators voting on bills. Provincial health and education ministers in particular handle huge budgets and very visible policy.

Chosen:

Appointed by the Premier from sitting MLAs/MPPs/MNAs

Term:

Serves at the Premier's pleasure

Same job as the federal Speaker, scaled to the provincial legislature. Runs the chamber, enforces rules, and does not typically take partisan positions while in role.

Chosen:

Elected by fellow MLAs/MPPs/MNAs

Term:

Until the next provincial election

The provincial equivalent of the Governor General. Signs provincial bills into law and gives the opening speech for each session of the legislature. In the territories the role is called "Commissioner" and reports to the federal government rather than the Crown directly.

Chosen:

Appointed by the federal Governor General on the Prime Minister's recommendation

Term:

Typically 5 years

Head of the municipal government. Chairs council meetings, represents the city externally, and in most cities has a single vote on council (no special veto). Some rural municipalities use the title "Reeve" instead of Mayor for the same job. Powers vary: Toronto's mayor has "strong mayor" powers; most others operate on simple majority votes.

Chosen:

Elected directly by voters in their municipality (not appointed)

Term:

4 years (typical)

Members of city council. Vote on the municipal budget, zoning bylaws, transit decisions, property-tax rates, and local services. Each councillor represents either a specific ward (neighbourhood) or the whole city, depending on the municipality's setup. Toronto has 25 ward councillors; smaller towns might have just 4 to 6 at-large councillors.

Chosen:

Elected either at-large or by ward, depending on the municipality

Term:

4 years (typical)

Sets local policy for one of the four publicly funded school systems (English, French, English Catholic, French Catholic, depending on the province). Votes on school closures, programs, the local budget, and superintendents. Often overlooked at election time despite shaping K to 12 education for entire districts.

Chosen:

Elected on the same ballot as municipal council

Term:

4 years