Leader of the Opposition (Canada) - Definition and Overview

Politics of Canada

Executive Monarchy (The Crown) Governor General Prime Minister Cabinet

Legislative Parliament Senate Speaker of the Senate Government Leader in the Senate Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition Leader in the Senate House of Commons Speaker of the House Government House Leader Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition

Judicial Supreme Court Lower Courts of Appeal Constitution Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Regions Provinces and territories

The Leader of the Opposition in Canada is the Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons who leads Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition (the body in Parliament recognized as the Official Opposition).

He or she is entitled to the same levels of pay and protection as a Cabinet Minister, and is also entitled to reside at the official residence of Stornoway.

There is also a Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, who is usually of the same party as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons. The exception is the period between 1993 and 2003 when succeeding Official Opposition parties in the House of Commons had no counterpart in the Senate. Since the Leader of the Opposition in the House is usually also a party leader he or she would appoint his or her counterpart in the Senate. From 1993 to 2003 the official opposition in the Senate was the Progressive Conservative Party therefore the leader of the Progressive Conservatives in the House of Commons chose the leader of the opposition in the Senate.

See also:

• List of Canadian Leaders of the Opposition
• List of Canadian Leaders of the Opposition in the Senate