How to Address Government Officials in Canada

Index to this page and related pages
Forms of address for Indigenous Leaders
Forms of Address for Federal Government Officials
Forms of Address for Provincial Government Officials
Tips for writing to Government Officials
More detail on Canadian protocol
Protocol: Order of precedence in Canada
How to Contact Canadian Government Officials

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Indigenous Leaders

Chiefs

• Letters:
  Address: Chief Firstname Lastname
  Salutation:: Dear (Name)

• Conversation: Chief (Name)

Band Councillors

• Letters
  Address: Mr./Ms. Firstname Lastname
  Salutation: Dear Mr./Ms. Name

• Conversation: Mr./Ms. Name

Federal Government

The Prime Minister of Canada

• Address:
  • The Right Honourable Firstname Lastname, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Canada, Ottawa
• Salutation:
  • Dear Prime Minister, Dear Sir/Madam, or Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms Lastname

Note: The Prime Minister of Canada retains the title "The Right Honourable" for life. The Prime Minister is also a Member of the King's Privy Council for Canada, a lifetime designation, indicated with the letters P.C. In conversation, address the Prime Minister as "Prime Minister," "Sir," or "Mr./Mrs./Ms. Lastname." (Avoid "Mr. Prime Minister.")

Member of the Federal Cabinet

• Address:
  • The Honourable Firstname A. Lastname, P.C., Minister of _________ , (or Attorney General)
• Salutation:
  • Dear Minister, Dear Attorney General, Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Lastname,

Notes:

• Federal Cabinet Ministers are members of the King's Privy Council for Canada. They retain the initials "P.C." and the title "Honourable" for life.
• For ministers designated as King's Counsel, put "K.C." after their name.
• Letters may begin with "Dear Minister", "Dear Attorney General," "Dear Sir/Madam", or "Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Lastname".
• In conversation, address a Minister as "Minister," "Attorney General," Sir," or "Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss Lastname." Avoid "Mr./Ms./Madam Minister." However, "Mr./Madam Attorney General" appears to be used sometimes in Canada and the UK. The plural of Attorney General is "Attorneys General"
• The title "Honourable" (for Ministers or former Ministers only) is used with the person's full name, only e.g. "The Honourable A.B. Lastname," or "The Honourable Firstname Lastname," or the "Honourable Mr./Ms. Lastname." Avoid using "Honourable Jones" in writing or conversation.

Member of the Senate

• Address:
  • The Honourable Firstname A. Lastname, or The Honourable Firstname A. Lastname, The Senate, Ottawa.
• Salutation:
  • Dear Senator, Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss Lastname

Member of the House of Commons:

• Address:
  • Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss Firstname A. Lastname, M.P., House of Commons, Ottawa, or Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss Firstname A. Lastname, M.P. for ___________, House of Commons, Ottawa
• Salutation:
  • Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Lastname

In conversation, simply Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss Lastname. The title "Honourable" is only used with the person's full name, e.g. "The Honourable A.B. Lastname," or "The Honourable Firstname Lastname," or the "Honourable Mr./Ms. Lastname." Avoid using "Honourable Jones" in writing or conversation.

Deputy Minister of a Department:

• Address:
  • Mr./Mrs./Ms. Firstname A. Lastname, Deputy Minister of _________ .
• Salutation:
  • Sir/Madam, Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Lastname

Provincial Governments

The Premier of a Province of Canada

• Address:
  • The Honourable Firstname A. Lastname, M.L.A., Premier of the Province of _________.
• Salutation:
  • Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Premier, Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Lastname

Note: Premiers of Provinces of Canada retain the title "The Honourable" during their terms of office. The Premier is head of the government of the Province, and is the First Minister; and is usually the President of the Executive Council of the Province. Quebec has a "Prime Minister;" not a "Premier." The title "Honourable" is only used with the person's full name, e.g. "The Honourable A.B. Lastname," or "The Honourable Firstname Lastname," or the "Honourable Mr./Ms. Lastname." Avoid using "Honourable Jones" in writing or conversation.

Provincial Cabinet Ministers

• Address:
  • "The Honourable Peter Jones, Minister of _____". If addressing a Minister in the context of his/her constituency, use "The Honourable Peter Jones, M.L.A. for _____".
• Salutation:
  • In conversation, current usage is "Minister" (avoid "Mr. Minister") or "Mr./Mrs./Ms. Jones". Letters may begin with "Dear Minister", "Dear Sir/Madam", or "Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Jones".

In conversation, use "Minister" or "Mr./Mrs./Ms. Lastname. Jones)". Letters may begin with "Dear Minister", "Dear Sir/Madam", or "Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Jones". Avoid "Mr. Minister." Provincial ministers retain the title "Honourable" only while in office. The title "Honourable" is only used with the person's full name, e.g. "The Honourable A.B. Lastname," or "The Honourable Firstname Lastname," or the "Honourable Mr./Ms. Lastname." Avoid using "Honourable Jones" in writing or conversation.

Member of A Provincial Legislature:

• Address:
  • Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss Firstname A. Lastname, M.L.A., Member of the Legislative Assembly,
    (Legislative Buildings, Edmonton, Alberta; Parliament Buildings, Victoria, British Columbia; Legislative Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Legislative Building, Fredericton, New Brunswick; Confederation Building, St. John's, Newfoundland; Province House, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Parliament Buildings, Toronto, Ontario; Province Building, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Hotel du gouvernement, Quebec, Province of Quebec; Legislative Buildings, Regina, Saskatchewan).
• Salutation:
  • Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Lastname

Note: For Quebec use M.N.A.; for Ontario use M.P.P.; for Newfoundland and Nova Scotia use M.H.A. instead of M.L.A.

Mayor of a City or Town:

• Address:
  • His/Her Worship Mayor Firstname A. Lastname, City Hall, OR His/Her Worship the Mayor of _________ .
• Salutation:
  • "Your Worship," "Dear Sir/Madam," "Dear Mr./Madam Mayor Lastname"

Note: In conversation or at official occasions, use "Your Worship"; less formal is "Mayor Lastname".

Alderman or Councillor (cities, towns and villages); Reeve or Councillor (rural municipalities>

• Address:
  • "Alderman/Councillor/Reeve Firstname A. Lastname"
• Salutation:
  • "Dear Alderman/Councillor/Reeve Lastname" or "Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Lastname."

Writing to Government Officials

• Write short letters: Try to keep your letter to one page. The shorter the better.
• Be courteous: Be careful to write as though the recipient would be concerned and wish to help. Use the proper form of address and salutation for the official you are writing to.
• Be accurate: Provide information that can be verified about facts and laws. Make sure your information is up to date.
• Remain non-partisan: Avoid making partisan political or religious comments. Instead, appeal to domestic constitutions or domestic laws, and principles of international law, and international human rights, emphasizing conventions and treaties signed by the country in question. See Canada's laws and the international treaties it has signed.
• Be credible: Use formal grammar and punctuation. Type your letter if possible, using the appropriate format for a formal letter.
• Request a response: Courteously ask for a response to your letter.
• Sign and date your letter: Date your letter and put your name and address on both the letter and the envelope. Write legibly. Don't send anonymous letters.
• Send a hard copy: If you send an e-mail, also take the time to send a hard copy by fax and by mail. Use sufficient airmail postage and airmail stickers.
• Keep a copy: Keep a copy of your letter and any replies you receive.

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