What Is a Prime Minister?

In parliamentary systems of government the leader of the ruling party is known as the Prime Minister. He is a political figure who has the authority to make new laws and is responsible for the country’s defence. He also has many other duties including dealing with foreign affairs and setting the agenda of the Government.

A Prime Minister usually has to be a member of the House of Commons, but two people have been Prime Ministers who were not members of the house, Sir John A Macdonald in 1867-73 and 1878-91) and Mackenzie Bowell in 1904. It is important for the Prime Minister to keep up with all of the issues and to attend cabinet meetings. Prime Ministers are a main spokesperson for the government and have to answer questions in parliament. They can be called upon to give speeches to the public and other countries. The prime minister must be able to manage crisis situations and decide what the next move should be when things are going wrong.

If the prime minister is not performing well then he can be removed from office by a vote of no confidence from the House of Commons. This is why it is very important for the Prime Minister to have strong support in the House of Commons.

In Canada, the prime minister is usually addressed by his full parliamentary title: The Right Honourable [name], [post-nominal letters] Prime Minister of Canada. When the prime minister is addressing the house of Commons during Question Period, he may be addressed as Mr. Prime Minister, but it is important to note that this is not considered proper etiquette.