What is a provincial Premier?

A provincial Premier is the head of government of a Canadian province, the provincial-level equivalent of the federal Prime Minister. Each of Canada's 10 provinces has a Premier (and each of the 3 territories has a Premier as well, though territorial Premiers operate under federally delegated authority rather than constitutional powers). Premiers are typically the leader of the political party with the most seats in the provincial Legislative Assembly.

Each Premier is selected through a two-step process. The provincial party elects its leader through a provincial leadership election, and the Premier is appointed by the provincial Lieutenant Governor (or the territorial Commissioner in the case of territorial Premiers) after the party wins the most seats in a provincial general election. Premiers serve at the Lieutenant Governor's pleasure (in practice, until they lose a provincial election, resign, or fail a leadership review).

The current provincial Premiers (as of late 2025) are Doug Ford in Ontario (Progressive Conservative, since June 29, 2018), François Legault in Quebec (Coalition Avenir Québec, since October 18, 2018), David Eby in British Columbia (NDP, since November 18, 2022), Danielle Smith in Alberta (United Conservative, since October 11, 2022), Wab Kinew in Manitoba (NDP, since October 18, 2023), Scott Moe in Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Party, since February 2, 2018), Tim Houston in Nova Scotia (Progressive Conservative, since August 31, 2021), Susan Holt in New Brunswick (Liberal, since November 2, 2024), Andrew Furey in Newfoundland and Labrador (Liberal, since August 19, 2020), and Dennis King in Prince Edward Island (Progressive Conservative, since May 9, 2019).

The territorial Premiers are Ranj Pillai in Yukon (Liberal, since January 14, 2023), R.J. Simpson in Northwest Territories (consensus government, since December 7, 2023), and P.J. Akeeagok in Nunavut (consensus government, since November 19, 2021). The Northwest Territories and Nunavut operate under consensus government (with no political parties), while Yukon uses partisan politics. Each Premier leads the provincial or territorial Cabinet, sets the policy agenda, represents the province or territory at federal-provincial-territorial meetings (the Council of the Federation and First Ministers' meetings), and exercises broad executive authority in provincial or territorial jurisdiction. Premiers' salaries vary by province (typically $200,000 to $250,000 in the largest provinces).