capitalization: member of Parliament

The following guidelines explain when to capitalize the word member in the term member of Parliament.

When to capitalize

Capitalize member of Parliament in the following cases:

1. When Member of Parliament is placed next to a personal name:
   • Peter MacKay, Member of Parliament for Central Nova
2. When Member of Parliament or Member refers to a specific person and is used as a substitute for that person’s name:
   • The Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre voted in favour of the bill.
   • The Member made no further comment

When not to capitalize

Do not capitalize member of Parliament in the following cases:

1. When member of Parliament is written in the plural or is preceded by an indefinite article:
   • members of Parliament
   • a member of Parliament
2. When member of Parliament is modified by a possessive or other type of adjective:
   • They discussed it with their member of Parliament.
   • The group rallied around the former member of Parliament.
3. When member of Parliament refers to a role rather than a person:
   • As member of Parliament [that is, while occupying a certain position], Agnes MacPhail helped reform the penal system.
   • The member of Parliament [any person who occupies that position] must first represent his or her constituents.