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Officers and Officials of Parliament Political Officers - Senate - Leaders of the Government
1867 to Date
Appointed by the Prime Minister and usually a member of Cabinet, the Leader of the Government performs the dual role of representing the Government in the Senate and the Senate in Cabinet. The Leader organizes government strategy, sponsors legislation and manages government business in the Senate. The Leader also provides responses on behalf of the government during Question Period. The Deputy Leader of the Government handles day-to-day operations in the Chamber.

NamePolitical Affiliation
during Tenure
Term (year)
LeBreton, Marjory Conservative 2006 -
Austin, Jack Liberal 2003 - 2006
Carstairs, Sharon Liberal 2001 - 2003
Boudreau, J. Bernard Liberal 1999 - 2000
Graham, B. Alasdair Liberal 1997 - 1999
Fairbairn, Joyce Liberal 1993 - 1997
Murray, Lowell Progressive Conservative 1993 - 1993
Murray, Lowell Progressive Conservative 1986 - 1993
Roblin, Dufferin (Duff) Progressive Conservative 1984 - 1986
MacEachen, Allan Joseph Liberal 1984 - 1984
Olson, Horace Andrew (Bud) Liberal 1982 - 1984
Perrault, Raymond J. Liberal 1980 - 1982
Flynn, Jacques Progressive Conservative 1979 - 1980
Perrault, Raymond J. Liberal 1974 - 1979
Martin, Paul Joseph James Left the Cabinet August 8, 1974; appointed High Commissioner to the U.K., effective January 1, 1975; resigned from the Senate October 30, 1974. Liberal 1969 - 1974
Connolly, John Joseph Resigned from leadership but remained in the Senate. Liberal 1964 - 1968
Macdonald, William Ross Liberal 1963 - 1964
Brooks, Alfred Johnson Was not a member of the Cabinet. Progressive Conservative 1962 - 1963
Aseltine, Walter Morley Was not a member of the Cabinet. Progressive Conservative 1958 - 1962
Haig, John Thomas Progressive Conservative 1957 - 1958
Macdonald, William Ross The position of leader was vacant from June 21 to October 9, 1957. Liberal 1953 - 1957
Robertson, Wishart McLea Appointed Speaker of the Senate October 14, 1953. Liberal 1945 - 1953
King, James Horace Appointed Speaker of the Senate August 24, 1945. Liberal 1942 - 1945
Dandurand, Raoul Died in office. Liberal 1935 - 1942
Meighen, Arthur 1932 - 1935
Willoughby, Wellington Bartley Was not a member of the Cabinet. Resigned from leadership for health reasons. Conservative (1867-1942) 1930 - 1932
Dandurand, Raoul Liberal 1926 - 1930
Ross, William Benjamin Was not a member of the Cabinet. Became leader when the Meighen Government was formed on June 28, 1926. This Government was defeated in the House of Commons on July 1st, 1926 and Parliament was dissolved the following day. Conservative (1867-1942) 1926 - 1926
Dandurand, Raoul Liberal 1921 - 1926
Lougheed, James Alexander Liberal-Conservative 1911 - 1921
Cartwright, Richard John Liberal 1909 - 1911
Scott, Richard William Liberal 1902 - 1908
Mills, David Resignation. Appointed Puisne Judge, Supreme Court of Canada, February 8, 1902. Liberal 1897 - 1902
Mowat, Oliver Resignation. Appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, November 18, 1897. Liberal 1896 - 1897
Bowell, Mackenzie The Thompson Government dissolved as result of Thompson's death on December 13, 1894. Bowell formed the new Ministry which held office from December 21, 1894 to April 27 1896. Conservative (1867-1942) 1893 - 1896
Abbott, John Joseph Caldwell From the opening of the 6th Parliament until Abbott took office, the duties of leader were carried out by Hon. Frank Smith. The death of Macdonald on June 6, 1891 dissolved his Ministry. Abbott formed the new Government which took office on June 16, 1891. He resigned as Prime Minister on December 5, 1892. Liberal-Conservative 1887 - 1893
Campbell, Alexander Resigned from the Senate February 7, 1887. Conservative (1867-1942) 1878 - 1887
Scott, Richard William Was co-leader with Letellier de St-Just. Liberal 1874 - 1878
Letellier de St-Just, Luc Was co-leader along with Sir Richard Scott; appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec, December 15, 1876. Nationalist Liberal 1873 - 1876
Campbell, Alexander The Macdonald Government resigned on November 5,1873. Conservative (1867-1942) 1867 - 1873
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Updated on: 2008.10.30

Revised on: 2008.10.30

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