The 23rd Canadian Parliament was in session from October 14, 1957, until February 1, 1958. The membership was set by the 1957 federal election on June 10, 1957, and it changed only somewhat due to resignations and by-elections until it was dissolved prior to the 1958 election.
There was only one session of the 23rd Parliament:
It was controlled by a Progressive Conservative Party minority under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and the 18th Canadian Ministry. The Official Opposition was the Liberal Party, led first by Louis St. Laurent, and then by Lester B. Pearson.
It was the second shortest parliament in Canadian history.
Parliament opened by the queen
It was the first parliament opened by the Monarch of Canada, and the only parliament formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II herself, rather than her formal representative, the governor general. In 2025, King Charles III opened the 45th Canadian Parliament, marking the second time any monarch has opened parliament.
First woman appointed to cabinet
Diefenbaker appointed Ellen Fairclough, MP for Hamilton West, as Secretary of State in 1957, marking the first time a woman had been appointed to a cabinet position.
The 18th Canadian Ministry began at the beginning of the 23rd Canadian Parliament and lasted until near the end of the 25th Canadian Parliament.
Government leadership (Progressive Conservative)
Following is a full list of members of the twenty-third Parliament listed first by province or territory, then by electoral district.
Parliamentary assistants is indicated by "‡".
Cabinet ministers are in boldface.
The Speaker is indicated by "(†)".
Electoral districts denoted by an asterisk (*) indicates that district was represented by two members.
Act's which received royal assent under 23rd Parliament
List of Canadian electoral districts 1952–1966,for a list of the ridings in this parliament.
Government of Canada. "18th Ministry". Guide to Canadian Ministries since Confederation. Privy Council Office. Retrieved November 9, 2006.