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Order of Precedence


The order of precedence in Canada is a long established succession of power amongst virtually all of the government officials in Canada. Note that this is not an order of succession as does exist in the United States. If one or more of these officials becomes incapacitated or dies while in office, very little occurs in terms of the normal workings of the government.

The only government post that must be filled is the Governor General, who signs bills into law, appoints various officials, and dissolves Parliament. However, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is automatically the Deputy Governor General who can fill-in for the Governor General whenver necessary, and the Puisne Justices of the Supreme Court can fill-in for the Chief Justice in a similar manner. The order of titles are listed below along with as many of the names as our research staff could track down that correspond with the titles. The list was last updated on August 10, 2010. Please report any errors or omissions to this list.

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1. The Governor General of Canada

    His Excellency The Right Honourable David Johnston as of October 1, 2010

2. The Prime Minister of Canada

    The Right Honourable Stephen Harper

3. The Chief Justice of Canada

    The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin

4. Former Governors General of Canada

    The Right Honourable Ed Schreyer
    The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
    The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean as of October 1, 2010

5. Surviving Spouses of Deceased Governors General of Canada

    Mrs. Gerda Hnatyshyn
    Mrs. Diana Fowler LeBlanc

6. Former Prime Ministers of Canada

    The Right Honourable Joe Clark
    The Right Honourable John Turner
    The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney
    The Right Honourable Kim Campbell
    The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien
    The Right Honourable Paul Martin

7. Former Chief Justices of Canada

    none currently living

8. The Speaker of the Senate

    The Honourable Noël Kinsella

9. The Speaker of the House of Commons

    The Honourable Peter Milliken
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10. Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Ministers Plenipotentiary

11. Members of the Canadian Ministry

12. The Leader of the Opposition

    Mr. Michael Ignatieff

13. The Lieutenant Governors of the Provinces of Canada

    The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
      His Honour The Honourable David Onley
    The Lieutenant Governor of Quebec
      His Honour The Honourable Pierre Duchesne
    The Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
      Her Honour The Honourable Mayann Francis
    The Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick
      His Honour The Honourable Graydon Nicholas
    The Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
      His Honour The Honourable Philip Lee
    The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
      His Honour The Honourable Steven Point
    The Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island
      His Honour The Honourable Barbara Oliver Hagerman
    The Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan
      Her Honour The Honourable Gordon Barnhart
    The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
      His Honour Colonel The Honourable Donald Ethell
    The Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador
      His Honour The Honourable John Crosbie

14. Members of the Privy Council

15. Premiers of the Provinces of Canada

    The Premier of Ontario
      The Honourable Dalton McGuinty
    The Premier of Quebec
      The Honourable Jean Charest
    The Premier of Nova Scotia
      The Honourable Darrell Dexter
    The Premier of New Brunswick
      The Honourable Shawn Graham
    The Premier of Manitoba
      The Honourable Greg Selinger
    The Premier of British Columbia
      The Honourable Gordon Campbell
    The Premier of Prince Edward Island
      The Honourable Robert Ghiz
    The Premier of Saskatchewan
      The Honourable Brad Wall
    The Premier of Alberta
      The Honourable Ed Stelmach
    The Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
      The Honourable Danny Williams

16. The Commissioners of the Territories

    The Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
      The Honourable Tony Whitford
    The Commissioner of Yukon Territory
      The Honourable Geraldine Van Bibber
    The Commissioner of Nunavut
      The Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson

17. The Government Leaders of the Territories

    The Government Leader of the Northwest Territories
      The Honourable Floyd Roland
    The Government Leader of Yukon Territory
      The Honourable Dennis Fentie
    The Government Leader of Nunavut
      The Honourable Eva Aariak

18. Representatives of faith communities

    Our researchers have been unable to confirm which faith leaders this item actually refers to!

19. Puisne Judges of the Supreme Court of Canada

    The Honourable Mr. Justice Ian Binnie
    The Honourable Mr. Justice Louis Le Bel
    The Honourable Madam Justice Marie Deschamps
    The Honourable Mr. Justice Morris Fish
    The Honourable Madam Justice Rosalie Abella
    The Honourable Madam Justice Louise Charron
    The Honourable Mr. Justice Marshall Rothstein
    The Honourable Mr. Justice Thomas Cromwell

20. The Chief Justices of the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court

    Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal of Canada
      The Honourable Pierre Blais
    Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Canada
      The Honourable Allan Lutfy

21. Chief Justices of the Provincial Courts


See also
Governor General
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Prime Minister
Speaker of the Senate
Speaker of the House of Commons
Cabinet
Leader of the Official Opposition
Lieutenant Governors
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada
Premiers
Chief Justice of the Federal Court
Clerk of the Privy Council
Chief of the Defence Staff
Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Official Residences


Copyright Craig I.W. Marlatt