Parliamentary Secretaries in the 36th Parliament‪.‬

This article looks at the history, legal status, and experiences of some Parliamentary Secretaries in the 1st session of the 36th Parliament. In a political system where backbenchers are occasionally referred to as "nobodies," do these Executive Backbenchers enjoy a special influence in Canadian governance? The office of Parliamentary Secretary, first introduced in Canada during the First World War, provides government backbenchers with the opportunity to gain some executive and departmental experience, while also allowing the Prime Minister and senior ministers to gauge their abilities. Although the position serves this twofold function, it has also been a useful tool of the government to reward loyal backbenchers or to restrain irritating mavericks. By co-opting the latter group, the position restrains those who once sought to challenge the governing party.