Those who’ve served Canada longest

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This article was published 08/10/2015 (3833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

STEPHEN Harper has been prime minister for more than nine years — making him one of the longest-serving prime ministers in Canadian history.

But he doesn’t come close to William Lyon Mackenzie King, who served the longest as prime minister, for more than 21 years between 1921 and 1948 (with a gap in 1930-35).

In more recent years, Harper is surpassed by Pierre Trudeau, who served 15 years, and Jean Chrétien, who served for a little more than 10 years.

Another prime minister, Wilfrid Laurier, takes the prize for being Canada’s longest-serving MP, at a whopping 44 years and 10 months between 1874 and his death in 1919.

The longest-serving MP currently sitting is Louis Plamondon of the Bloc Québécois, who’s been in the job for 31 years.

He survived the drubbing his party got in the 2011 election and is running again this year, for the 10th time. He represents a riding near Trois-Rivières, halfway between Montreal and Quebec City.

Plamondon holds the position of dean of the house, which means he oversees the election for Speaker after every general election.

Anne Cools is the longest-serving senator, serving 31 years and eight months. She was appointed by Liberal prime minister Pierre Trudeau, but crossed the floor to the Conservatives in 2005 after opposing the Liberal government’s move to legalize same-sex marriage. In 2007, she criticized Stephen Harper and was kicked out of the party. She currently sits as an Independent.