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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Canadian Politics

Kim Campbell

Kim Campbell is a Canadian politician, lawyer, diplomat, writer, and academic best known as the 19th prime minister of Canada.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Kim Campbell is the 19th prime minister of Canada and the first woman to hold the office. She served a brief term in 1993 after leading the Progressive Conservative Party.

What it is

Kim Campbell is a Canadian politician, lawyer, diplomat, writer, and academic who became prime minister in June 1993. Born in Port Alberni, British Columbia, she studied at the University of British Columbia and the London School of Economics. Before becoming prime minister, she served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and later as Minister of National Defence.

Why it matters

Campbell made history as Canada’s first and only female prime minister. She also broke barriers as the first woman to serve as justice minister and the first woman to serve as defence minister in a NATO member state. Though her time in office lasted just over four months, her achievements remain a landmark for women in Canadian public life.

Key details

Campbell entered federal politics in 1988 as the MP for Vancouver Centre. She held senior cabinet roles under Brian Mulroney and succeeded him as Progressive Conservative leader in 1993. Her government was defeated in the 1993 federal election, after which she left politics. She later worked in diplomacy, academia, and international affairs, focusing on governance and women’s leadership.

In short

  • First and only woman to serve as prime minister of Canada
  • Served from June 25 to November 4, 1993
  • First woman to hold the positions of justice minister and defence minister in Canada
  • After politics, she pursued careers in diplomacy, academia, and public advocacy
Canadian angle

Kim Campbell is a major figure in Canadian political history and a notable trailblazer for women in public office in Canada.

Quick questions

Who is Kim Campbell?
Kim Campbell is the 19th prime minister of Canada and the first woman to hold the office. She was also a cabinet minister, lawyer, diplomat, and academic.
When was Kim Campbell prime minister?
She served as prime minister from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993.
Why is Kim Campbell significant?
She is historically significant as Canada’s first female prime minister, and as the first woman to serve as Canada’s justice minister and defence minister.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Campbell
    Supports: Birth name, birth date and place, prime minister term, and first female prime minister status.
  2. Legislative Assembly of British Columbia — http://leg.bc.ca/learn/watv/biographies/kim-campbell
    Supports: Early life, education, elected offices, cabinet roles, and first woman prime minister status.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kim-Campbell
    Supports: Biography overview, birth details, and significance as first woman prime minister.
  4. Government of Canada — https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/women-impact/politics/kim-campbell.html
    Supports: Career summary, first and only woman prime minister, and later public roles.
  5. Harvard University Institute of Politics — https://iop.harvard.edu/fellows/kim-campbell
    Supports: Political career timeline, cabinet posts, and dates of premiership.