Alexander Mackenzie (politician)
Alexander Mackenzie was a Canadian politician who served as the second prime minister of Canada, in office from 1873 to 1878.
Mackenzie in 1878
An 1875 Canadian Illustrated News cartoon shows Mackenzie the Mason and Governor General Lord Dufferin the Overseer.
Statue of Alexander Mackenzie on Parliament Hill, Ottawa by Hamilton MacCarthy
A painting of Mackenzie
The prime minister of Canada is the head of government of Canada. Not outlined in any constitutional document, the office exists only per long-established convention. Under the Westminster system, the prime minister governs with the confidence of a majority of the elected House of Commons; as such, the prime minister typically sits as a member of Parliament (MP) and leads the largest party or a coalition of parties. The prime minister is appointed by the monarch's representative, the governor general, and, as first minister, selects other ministers to form the Cabinet and chairs it. Constitutionally, executive authority is vested in the monarch, but, in practice, the powers of the monarch and governor general are nearly always exercised on the advice of the Cabinet, which is collectively responsible to the House of Commons. Canadian prime ministers are appointed to the Privy Council and styled as the Right Honourable, a privilege maintained for life.
Prime Minister of Canada
John A. Macdonald, the first prime minister of Canada (1867–1873, 1878–1891)
Canada's prime ministers during its first century
William Lyon Mackenzie King, the 10th prime minister of Canada (1921–1926; 1926–1930; 1935–1948)