The approaching end to the U.S. presidential election campaign provides an excellent opportunity to remind the universe that, while the winner of the Nov. 4 contest will immediately be referred to as president-elect, the term “-elect” does not apply in every jurisdiction.
In the interim period between winning an election and taking office, a prime minister of Canada (or Great Britain or Australia) is referred to as prime minister-designate. The qualifier “-elect” refers only to individuals who have been — wait for it — elected by the — wait for it — electorate.
In the Westminster system (among others) party leaders are selected by the party and not the electorate; therefore, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is designated, not elected, prime minister. A representative directly elected by the general populace — be it a president or a member of parliament — assumes the title of title-elect in the interim period between the election and taking office.
John McCain or Barack Obama will be the next president-elect of the United States. Stephen Harper was never the prime minister-elect of Canada, though he has been the member of parliament-elect for Calgary-Southwest.
Thank you.
