Home > President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
In the Canadian cabinet the President of the Queen's Privy Council of Canada is nominally in charge of the Privy Council Office. The President of the Privy Council also has the largely ceremonial duty of presiding over meetings of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, a body which only convenes for affairs of state such as the accession of a new Sovereign or the marriage of the Prince of Wales or heir presumptive to the Throne (see Monarchy in Canada). Accordingly the last time the President of the Privy Council had to preside over a meeting of the Privy Council was in 1981 on the occasion of HRH The Prince of Wales' engagement to The Lady Diana Spencer. It is the equivalent of the office of Lord President of the Council in the United Kingdom. Under Prime Ministers Pierre Trudeau and Joe Clark the position was synonymous with that of Government House Leader. In 19891989 is a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). Events January January 7 Akihito becomes Emperor of Japan following the death of Hirohito. The Heisei period begins January 8 the Kegworth Air Disaster A British Midland Boeing 737 cra the Government House Leader became a separate position and the President of the Privy Council became a largely honourary title (not unlike that of Deputy Prime Minister of CanadaThe Deputy Prime Minister of Canada is a position in the Canadian government. It is a position within the Cabinet of Canada without portfolio, but the occupant usually plays a key role in the government. Additionally, with the exception of Herb Gray, all) given to a senior minister in addition to other portfolios. The current President is also Minister of Intergovernmental AffairsThe post of Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs is the member of the Cabinet of Canada resposible for the federal government's relations with the governments of the provinces and territories of Canada. The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs does not. In the past decade the position has generally been seen to be the closest thing to a sinecureA sinecure (from latin sine without, and cura care) means an office which requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service. Examples are the Lord Privy Seal and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the British cabinet. posting within the Cabinet.
See List of Canadian Presidents of the Privy CouncilCanadian Presidents of the Privy Council 1. Adam Johnston Fergusson Blair under Macdonald July 1 1867 December 29 1867 vacant under Macdonald December 30 1867 January 29 1869 2. Joseph Howe under Macdonald January 30 1869 November 15 1869 3. Edward Kenny
