party leader

The leader of a political party is a person chosen to speak for the party, to be the focus of election campaigns, and to take responsibility for the party’s performance in parliament .  If the party wins enough seats to win government , the party leader becomes premier or prime minister.  Party leaders in Canada are now chosen by leadership conventions organized by the party, or by a ballot of all party members.  See also caucus .

In British Columbia, the leader of a political party which has four or more members in the legislative assembly is recognized by the Constitution Act (British Columbia) as being 'leader of a recognized political party' (section 1).