Acting Prime Minister
Prior to the creation of this position, there was one notable and brief appointment made by a Canadian Prime Minister. In 1958, PM John Diefenbaker appointed Ellen Fairclough as Acting Prime Minister for two days while he was absent from Canada. Prior to the creation of the Deputy Prime Minister's position, such appointments were relatively commonplace, if somewhat routine, appointments bestowed on a member of the Cabinet of Canada when the Prime Minister was out of the country, such as on state visits. Although the appointment was not normally considered notable in its own right, Fairclough was the first woman ever given the duty.
| Acting Prime Minister (Party) |
District | Took Office | Left Office | Prime Minister | |
| Ellen Fairclough (Progressive Conservative) |
Hamilton West | February 19, 1958 | February 20, 1958 | John Diefenbaker |
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