does canada's prime minister hold a seat in the house of commons
House of Commons of Canada
Though it does not formally elect the prime minister , the House of Commons indirectly controls the premiership . By convention , the prime minister is answerable to , and must maintain the support of , the House of Commons . Thus , whenever the office of prime minister falls vacant , the governor general has the duty of appointing the person most likely to command the support of the House -- normally the leader of the largest party in the lower house , although the system allows a coalition of two or more parties . This has not happened in the Canadian federal parliament , but has occurred in Canadian provinces . The leader of the second - largest party ( or in the case of a coalition , the largest party out of government ) usually becomes the Leader of the Official Opposition . Moreover , the prime minister is , by unwritten convention , a member of the House of Commons , rather than of the Senate . Only two prime ministers governed from the Senate : Sir John Abbott ( 1891 -- 1892 ) and Sir Mackenzie Bowell ( 1894 -- 1896 ) . Both men got the job following the death of a Prime Minister , and did not contest elections . 
Though it does not formally elect the prime minister , the House of Commons indirectly controls the premiership . By convention , the prime minister is answerable to , and must maintain the support of , the House of Commons . Thus , whenever the office of prime minister falls vacant , the governor general has the duty of appointing the person most likely to command the support of the House -- normally the leader of the largest party in the lower house , although the system allows a coalition of two or more parties . This has not happened in the Canadian federal parliament , but has occurred in Canadian provinces . The leader of the second - largest party ( or in the case of a coalition , the largest party out of government ) usually becomes the Leader of the Official Opposition . Moreover , the prime minister is , by unwritten convention , a member of the House of Commons , rather than of the Senate . Only two prime ministers governed from the Senate : Sir John Abbott ( 1891 -- 1892 ) and Sir Mackenzie Bowell ( 1894 -- 1896 ) . Both men got the job following the death of a Prime Minister , and did not contest elections .
Yes. The prime minister of Canada , by unwritten convention , holds a seat in the House of Commons of Canada.
By convention , the prime minister is answerable to , and must maintain the support of , the House of Commons . Moreover , the prime minister is , by unwritten convention , a member of the House of Commons , rather than of the Senate .