Quick Answer
The Premier of Alberta leads the provincial government, in a role similar to the Prime Minister's at the federal level. We don't print the name here because it can change. Check the Government of Alberta's premier page shortly before your test.
Who is the Premier of Alberta?
The Premier is the head of Alberta's provincial government. To find out who holds the office today, go to the Government of Alberta's premier page.
Check close to your test date rather than relying on a study guide, a blog post or an old practice quiz. Any of these can go out of date after an election or a change of party leader.
What does the Premier do?
In each province, the Premier has a role similar to that of the Prime Minister in the federal government. The Premier of Alberta leads the provincial government, whose legislature meets in Edmonton, Alberta's capital.
Canada is a federal state, so responsibilities are divided between the federal and provincial governments. Knowing which level of government a leader belongs to is the key to this kind of question.
Memory Trick
Remember "Prime Minister for the country, Premier for the province." The Lieutenant Governor represents the Sovereign in the province, just as the Governor General does for Canada.
What Are the Common Wrong Answers?
A former Premier. This is the usual result of studying from older material. Confirm the current name on the official page before your test.
The Prime Minister. The Prime Minister leads the federal government, not a province.
The Premier of another province. Each province has its own Premier, so check the name against the right province.
The Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor represents the Sovereign in the province. The Premier leads the government.
How should you study this?
Learn the roles first, because they don't change. Make sure you can explain the difference between the Prime Minister, the Premier, the Governor General and the Lieutenant Governor. The How Canadians Govern Themselves study guide covers all four.
Then, about a week before your test, look up the current name and write it on a flashcard. Check again the day before, in case anything has changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the citizenship test ask me to name a premier?
It could, and we can't say how often it comes up, so be ready. Know who holds the office in your own province on your test day.
What happens if I name a former Premier?
It would count as a wrong answer, which is why it's worth checking the name shortly before your test.
What is the difference between the Premier of Alberta and the Prime Minister of Canada?
The Premier leads Alberta's provincial government. The Prime Minister leads the federal government in Ottawa.
Is the Premier of Alberta the same as the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta?
No. The Premier leads the provincial government. The Lieutenant Governor represents the Sovereign in the province and is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
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