Order of Precedence

At provincial functions where federal, foreign or diplomatic dignitaries are present, circumstances may dictate that provisions of the Table of Precedence of Canada or international rules of protocol be observed, giving these dignitaries precedence over certain provincial categories.

Order of Precedence

1. The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta*
2. The Premier of Alberta.
3. The Chief Justice of Alberta
4. Former Lieutenant Governors, precedence determined by the date of their Commissions
5. Former Premiers; precedence is determined by the date of their swearing-in ceremony
6. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
7. Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Canada
8. Members of the Executive Council of Alberta, in relative order of precedence as determined by the Premier
9. Leader of the Official Opposition
10. Members of the Privy Council for Canada resident in Alberta, with relative precedence among them to, first, Members of the Canadian Cabinet and second, to those not in Cabinet
11. Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta with precedence governed by the date of their first election to the Legislature
12. Members of the Senate, who represent Alberta, relative precedence determined by date of appointment
13. Members of the House of Commons who represent Alberta constituencies, relative precedence determined by date of election
14. Chief Justice, Alberta Court of King's Bench
15. Justices of the Alberta Court of Appeal
16. Justices of the Alberta Court of King's Bench
17. Heads of religious denominations
18. Heads of Consular Posts: Consuls-General; Consuls; Vice-Consuls; Consular Agents. (Precedence is determined by the date that definitive recognition is given by the Governor General.)
19. Chief Judge of the Court of Justice followed by judges in seniority of appointment
20. Mayors
21. Aboriginal Leaders: Chiefs of the Treaty First Nations in Alberta, in order of seniority of election to office; President of Metis Settlements General Council; President of Métis Nation of Alberta
22. Senior Officials:
    1. The Deputy Minister to the Premier and Cabinet Secretary; the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly; the Ombudsman; the Provincial Auditor; the Chief Electoral Officer; the Ethics Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Child and Youth Advocate, and the Public Interest Commissioner
    2. Deputy Ministers; then Senior Alberta government officials with rank of Deputy Minister as determined by the Executive Council; then Chief Executive Officers of Crown Corporations (relative precedence determined by date of appointment)
    3. Universities: The Chancellor of the University of Alberta; Chancellor of the University of Calgary; Chancellor of the University of Lethbridge; Chairman of the Board, University of Alberta; Chairman of the Board, University of Calgary; Chairman of the Board, University of Lethbridge; Chairman of the Board, Athabasca University; Chairman of the Board, Mount Royal University; Chairman of the Board, Grant MacEwan University; President of the University of Alberta; President of the University of Calgary; President of the University of Lethbridge; President of Athabasca University; President of Mount Royal University; President, Grant MacEwan University
    4. Police and Military: Commanding Officer, "K" Division, Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Commander, 3rd Canadian Division; Commanding Officer, H.M.C.S. Nonsuch; Commanding Officer, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group; Commanding Officer, 1 Area Support Group; Commanding Officer, 41 Canadian Brigade Group; Commanding Officer, 4 Wing

*In the absence of the Lieutenant Governor from the Province or his/her inability to carry out the duties of Lieutenant Governor for any reason, the Administrator of the Province takes the Lieutenant Governor's place of precedence.

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Updated April 15, 2015