Leader of the Official Opposition (Canada)

Leader of the Official Opposition
Chef de l'Opposition officielle
since August 18, 2025
StyleThe Honourable
Member ofHouse of Commons
ResidenceStornoway
SeatWest Block (while Centre Block is under renovation)
Term lengthWhile leader of the largest party not in government
Inaugural holderAlexander Mackenzie
FormationMarch 6, 1873
Salary$309,700 (2025)[1]

The leader of the Official Opposition (French: chef de l'Opposition officielle) is the member of Parliament (MP) who leads the Official Opposition in Canada. This is typically the leader of the party possessing the most seats in the House of Commons that is neither the governing party nor part of a governing coalition.

Pierre Poilievre, MP for Battle River—Crowfoot, has been the leader of the Official Opposition since August 2025. Poilievre previously served in the role from September 2022 to April 2025, when he lost his seat in Carleton in the 2025 federal election. He was elected to his current seat in an August by-election, once again becoming leader of the Opposition.

The office should not be confused with Opposition House leader, who is a frontbencher charged with managing the business of the Opposition in the House of Commons and is formally titled Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons. There is also a leader of the Opposition in the Senate, who is usually of the same party as the leader of the Opposition in the house.

  1. ^ "Indemnities, Salaries and Allowances". Library of Parliament. Library of Parliament. Retrieved August 20, 2025.