DCHP-1 Online
premier 
1 n. the chief executive of a provincial government (in modern use in Canada, usually distinguished from the prime minister).
See also: provincial premier (def. 1)
- 1853 In the prosecution of this singularly dignified scheme--we shall say nothing of its abstract honesty--the Premier scruples not to employ the influence which his position invests him with.
- 1917 Why did Honoré Mercier, as Premier of Quebec, place a reference to the Pope in the preamble to his Jesuits Estates Bill ?
- 1965 Opposition leader John G. Diefenbaker will attend, as will former Ontario premier Leslie Frost and his wife.
2 n. the chief executive of the government of Canada; the first minister of the federal government and, in practice, the leader of the party in power.
See also: prime minister (def. 1)
- This application is obsolescent in Canada, the title of premier being nearly always used to refer to the chief executive of a province.
- 1883 It says that several of those roughly classed as Ministerialists will in all probability vote "no confidence" in the present Premier.
- 1916 It is of prime importance to remember how . . . so impersonal a figure ever came to be Premier of Canada. . . .
- 1853 In the prosecution of this singularly dignified scheme--we shall say nothing of its abstract honesty--the Premier scruples not to employ the influence which his position invests him with.