Parliamentary leader

A parliamentary leader is chosen in Canadian politics to lead their caucus in a legislative body, whether it be the House of Commons or a provincial legislature. They serve as interim legislative leaders, when a party leader either has no seat in the legislative body, or during a transition period preceding or following a leadership contest.

Though Canada and Britain both follow the Westminster system, there are some differences. In the British House of Commons, party leadership elections are only contested by candidates who also hold seats in the House, ensuring that the positions of party leader and the caucus leader are held by the same person. As MPs are not able to resign, except under certain circumstances, this makes it very unlikely for a potential leadership candidate to enter the House in a by-election.

Recent examples of parliamentary leaders

*Grant Hill served as parliamentary leader of the Conservative Party of Canada while the party's interim leader was John Lynch-Staunton, a Senator
*Bill Blaikie served as parliamentary leader of the New Democratic Party from Jack Layton's election as party leader until he won a seat in the House of Commons in the 2004 election
*John Reynolds served first as interim leader of the Canadian Alliance following the resignation of Stockwell Day and then as parliamentary leader from the election of Stephen Harper to the Alliance leadership until Harper won a seat in the Commons
*Deborah Grey served first as interim leader of the Canadian Alliance from its creation until the election of Stockwell Day as leader and then as parliamentary leader until Day won a seat in the House of Commons
*Elsie Wayne served first as interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada for most of 1998 following Jean Charest's resignation until the election of Joe Clark, following Clark's election, she served as parliamentary leader until Clark won election to the Commons in a 2000 by-election

Notable exceptions

*Bill Graham served as the parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from February to December 2006, even though outgoing party leader Paul Martin was still sitting in the House of Commons. This was because Martin had chosen not to assume the duties of Opposition Leader, opting instead to retire to the back benches. Graham also became interim party leader in March when Martin relinquished that role as well.
*Herb Gray served as parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party of Canada during the lead up to the 1990 Liberal leadership convention despite the fact that outgoing party leader John Turner still sat in the House of Commons.
*William Lyon Mackenzie King became parliamentary leader and continued as Prime Minister of Canada for some months following the leadership election of his successor, Louis St. Laurent, who became party leader but continued as a member of his cabinet during this time.