Here, the PM is by tradition the leader of the party that holds - or controls, if there ever were a formal coalition government at the federal level, as there has occasionally been at the provincial level - the most seats in the House of Commons. And it's the entire membership of the party, either directly or through delegates from each constituency, that elects the leader. As it is for your government, it's a de facto position as head of government rather than de jure.
The PM does not have to be a member of the House - though if he or she doesn't become one very quickly, it's considered a very bad thing. Technically, the PM could be a Senator - but again, he or she would be expected to resign the Senate and get his/her ass into the House as quickly as someone could be persuaded to resign to provide for a by-election. Actually, the PM could be any adult Canadian citizen, in theory - though in practice, he/she would also have to be leader of the governing party.
For instance, in the summer of 1984, John Turner, a former cabinet minister just returning to politics, was elected leader of the then-reigning Liberals. In the fall election, he won a seat, but his governemnt was defeated. Thus, he spent his entire brief period as PM without a seat in either House or Senate.
Aside, of course, from losing House votes of confidence during minority governments, only the governing party can remove the PM, and that can only be done at a leadership convention, to the best of my knowledge.
Re: C eh N eh D eh
The PM does not have to be a member of the House - though if he or she doesn't become one very quickly, it's considered a very bad thing. Technically, the PM could be a Senator - but again, he or she would be expected to resign the Senate and get his/her ass into the House as quickly as someone could be persuaded to resign to provide for a by-election. Actually, the PM could be any adult Canadian citizen, in theory - though in practice, he/she would also have to be leader of the governing party.
For instance, in the summer of 1984, John Turner, a former cabinet minister just returning to politics, was elected leader of the then-reigning Liberals. In the fall election, he won a seat, but his governemnt was defeated. Thus, he spent his entire brief period as PM without a seat in either House or Senate.
Aside, of course, from losing House votes of confidence during minority governments, only the governing party can remove the PM, and that can only be done at a leadership convention, to the best of my knowledge.