<P> Unlike the Vice President of the United States , the deputy prime minister does not automatically assume the office of prime minister if the incumbent of the latter office dies or resigns . Although he or she would become the acting prime minister on a temporary caretaker basis to ensure continuity of government function during the immediate period of transition , the deputy prime minister does not automatically become the new permanent prime minister : constitutional convention actually requires the governor general to consult the governing party regarding the permanent succession , and to call on a member of that party 's caucus to assume the prime ministership . No policy or convention precludes the deputy prime minister from being chosen as the new prime minister in such a scenario , but none assures it , either -- the party caucus would be free to recommend any new leader of its choice to the governor general . Barring extraordinary circumstances , the governor general is expected to follow the wishes of the party , although officially he or she retains the authority to make the final decision . That being the case , no Prime Minister has died in office or resigned suddenly ( except following his or her party 's electoral defeat ) since the 1890s , many decades before the office of Deputy Prime Minister was created . </P>
who takes over if the prime minister of canada died
requires the governor general to consult the governing party regarding the permanent succession , and to call on a member of that party 's caucus to assume the prime ministership