Famous Canadian Political Leaders

Pierre Trudeau was a Canadian politician who served as the 15th prime minister of the country. His personality generated excitement within Canada's mass media, which gave rise to the term Trudeaumania. The effects of Trudeau's contribution to Canadian nationalism can still be felt in Canada. 

Canadian statesman and politician Mackenzie King OM CMG PC, was the 10th prime minister of Canada. He held the position for three non-consecutive terms with a total of over 21 years in office and emerged as the longest-serving prime minister in the history of Canada. He remained instrumental in laying the foundations of the Canadian welfare state.

Jagmeet Singh is a Canadian politician and lawyer. Since 2017, Singh has been serving as the leader of the popular Canadian political party, New Democratic Party. Jagmeet Singh serves as an inspiration to other Canadian politicians of Indian origin as he is the first member from a visible minority group to lead a prominent federal political party in Canada.

Justin Trudeau is one of the most popular and good-looking Canadian politicians of all time. His good looks have made women and men go weak in their knees. After becoming the second-youngest prime minister of Canada, Justin went on to become one of the most liked politicians around the world.

Brian Mulroney is a Canadian politician who served as the 18th prime minister of Canada. He was in office from September 1984 to June 1993. He is a lawyer by qualification. As the prime minister, he implemented major economic reforms and championed immigration. His tenure also saw the addition of significant new national parks. 

Louis Riel was a Canadian politician. He is credited with founding the province of Manitoba. He holds a significant place in the history of the Métis people as he served as their political leader in pre-Manitoba Northwest Territories. Louis Riel is regarded as a folk hero by the Métis and other Canadian minorities for his efforts to defend their rights.

Canadian-American frontiersman, hardware store owner, sheriff, U.S. Marshal, horse breeder and hotel owner Seth Bullock is best known for building the Bullock Hotel, the oldest hotel in Deadwood. Bullock was appointed the first sheriff of the then lawless Dakota where he eventually emerged as a prominent figure civilizing the rowdy camp without killing anyone.

Canadian politician and Progressive Conservative leader Kim Campbell made headlines when she became the first woman to serve as the prime minister of Canada and remains the only woman to have achieved the feat. After quitting her doctoral studies, she studied law and joined the British Columbia Bar.

Tommy Douglas was a Scottish Canadian politician. From 1944 to 1961, he served as premier of Saskatchewan. His cabinet was the first to introduce North America's first single-payer, universal health care program. His life and career inspired a TV miniseries titled Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story, in which Douglas was played by actor Michael Therriault.

Joe Clark is a Canadian statesman, businessman, and politician. In 1979, he became the youngest person to be elected as the prime minister of Canada and served in this position until 1980. He lost the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 1983 before gaining prominence once again in 1984 when he served as a senior cabinet minister. 

Lester B. Pearson was a Canadian statesman, scholar, diplomat, and soldier. He is best remembered for organizing the first United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in an attempt to resolve the Suez Canal Crisis, for which he was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957. From 1963 to 1968, Lester B. Pearson served as the prime minister of Canada.

Jason Kenney is a Canadian politician and the current premier of Alberta. An influential figure in Alberta, Kenney is also the current head of the United Conservative Party (UCP). During the 2019 Alberta general election, Kenney led the UCP to the majority government, defeating the previous government headed by the New Democratic Party's Rachel Anne Notley.

Though a qualified lawyer, Paul Martin never practiced law. He focused on business instead and purchased the domestic-freight carrier Canada Steamship Lines. He later joined the Liberal Party and also served as the prime minister of Canada. He has also received awards such as the Companion of the Order of Canada.

Andrew Scheer is a Canadian politician who served as leader of the Official Opposition from 2017 until 2020. At the young age of 32, he became the speaker of the House of Commons and held this role for the entirety of the 41st Canadian Parliament. He is considered pro-life and opposes same-sex marriage. He is a firearm owner and hunter. 

Canadian politician, Rob Ford, served as the 64th mayor of Toronto from 2010 to 2014. His political career was marred by many personal and work-related controversies and legal proceedings. He suffered from alcoholism and drug addiction, and his involvement in a substance abuse scandal nearly killed his career. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and died in 2016.

John Tory is a Canadian politician who is serving as the current mayor of Toronto. Before establishing himself as a politician, Tory was a businessman, lawyer, and political strategist. John Tory has several honors under his belt, including the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2011, he was honored with a Harry Jerome Award. 

David Johnston is a Canadian academic, author, and politician. He served as the governor-general of Canada from 2010 to 2017. He attended Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and Queen's University and pursued an academic career. Alongside his academic career, he also involved himself with politics and public service. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. 

Canadian politician John Layton was Member of the Canadian Parliament for Toronto—Danforth from 2004 till his death in 2011. He served as Leader of the New Democratic Party from January 2003 till his death and led the party to garner increased support in each election, in particular during the 2011 election following which Layton became Leader of the Opposition.   

Jennifer Mulhern Granholm is a politician, lawyer, educator, and author. She is currently serving as the 16th United States Secretary of Energy, in office since February 2021. Previously, she was the 47th governor of Michigan, the first woman to serve in this position. She was made a Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star in 2010. 

Distinguished Canadian author, academic and former politician Michael Ignatieff, who was named a Member of the Order of Canada, presently serves as rector and President of Central European University. Ignatieff made his mark in politics as Member of the Canadian Parliament for Etobicoke–Lakeshore, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Opposition.

Kathleen Wynne is a Canadian politician who took office as the 25th premier of Ontario in February 2013 and served for a term of five years. She is the first female premier of Ontario. During her tenure, she implemented reforms to increase the minimum wages and bring down the unemployment rate. She is openly lesbian. 

Robert Borden was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as the eighth prime minister of Canada from 1911 to 1920. World War I started during his tenure, and he received much admiration for his leadership throughout the war. As the prime minister, he introduced women's suffrage for federal elections. 

Known as Dief the Chief, former Canadian prime minister John Diefenbaker is remembered for his efforts in passing the Canadian Bill of Rights and extending voting rights to First Nations people. He had also had a successful stint as a defense lawyer before being elected to the parliament.

Canadian author and social reformer Nellie McClung had struck gold with her first novel, Sowing Seeds in Danny, a bestseller. She also spoke widely about woman suffrage and was part of the Alberta legislature. She was part of The Famous Five, a group of women who launched the Persons Case.

Canadian diplomat, political-scientist and retired politician Stéphane Dion is the Canadian Ambassador to Germany and special envoy to the EU. He was a Member of Parliament for the Montreal riding of Saint-Laurent for over two decades, and held several ministries. He also held office as Leader of Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Opposition in House of Commons.