How to become a Legislator
Official title: Legislators
Also called: Legislator, Premier, Senator, Councillor, City alderman, Alderman/woman, Prime minister, City councillor, Attorney general, Cabinet minister, Governor general, Government leader
Legislators participate in the activities of a federal, provincial, territorial or local government legislative body or executive council, band council or school board as elected or appointed members.
Main tasks
- Enact, amend or repeal laws and regulations
- Participate in developing or amending government policies, programs or procedures
- Represent their government at local, national and international meetings and conferences
- Respond to matters of concern to constituents or the general public
- May serve as minister responsible for a government department or agency and direct senior government managers and officials in the implementation of government policy and the management of that department or agency
How to become one
Election to a legislative body, or appointment to positions such as senator, lieutenant-governor or governor general, is required.
Ways in
- University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 17 universities in Canada
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $84,000 a year The middle half earn $54,400 to $132,000.
- About 4,700 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 5,000 are projected by 2033. (+6.4%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Senior government managers and officials
- Senior managers - financial, communications and other business services
- Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
- Senior managers - trade, broadcasting and other services
- Senior managers - construction, transportation, production and utilities
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Legislator?
Election to a legislative body, or appointment to positions such as senator, lieutenant-governor or governor general, is required.
How much does a Legislator earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $84,000 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $54,400 to $132,000.
Is a Legislator a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2033, from about 4,700 to about 5,000 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a Legislator?
Not always. 44% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03