DCHP-3

prime minister

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1

the chief executive of the government of Canada; the first minister of the federal government and, in practice, the leader of the party in power.

See: premier(def. 2)

Quotations

1853
The Prime Minister of her Majesty's Canadian Government, associates himself with a Toronto stock jobber, to raise the wind on a parcel of civic debentures.
1965
He said the Prime Minister accepted with the proviso that he would attend if something did not turn up.
2

the chief executive of a provincial government, now usually referred to as premier (def. 1).

Quotations

1885
[He] was Prime Minister of Can. from May, 1862, to March, 1864; and first Prime Minister of his native Province after Confederation.
1960
The "Sorry for the Inconvenience" signs and the king-size coloured pix of our "Prime Minister" (by Royal assent & chop-stick OK) all added to the gay mood of the assemblage. . . .
1966
[He] wants to know how come John Robarts calls himself Prime Minister instead of Premier of Ontario (because pre-Confederation practice sanctions it).