Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Premier is the first minister of the government. In this role, the Premier makes recommendations to the Lieutenant-Governor for the selection and dismissal of ministers of government, and for the dissolution of the legislature. The Premier also signs orders-in-council, and presides over meetings of the Executive Council. The Lieutenant-Governor usually selects the Premier from the leader of the party holding the largest number of seats, or the party most able to form a government. In British Columbia, the office was established in 1871 when the province joined Confederation. However, it was not until 1921, when the office was first named in the Constitution Act (SBC 1921, c. 12). Since 1933, the Premier has also served as the President of the Executive Council. This was formalized in the Constitution Act in 1973 (SBC 1973 c. 20).