This thesis is a study of factors that contribute to the Prime Ministerial selection of cabinet ministers in Canadian federal politics. The time period studied is the five terms of office of the administrations of Prime Ministers Brian Mulroney and Jean Chre?tien. Both men governed at a time when institutionalized cabinets were at their peak but both also adhered to certain longstanding selection traditions. These traditions include an aspect of the Canadian political convention of the "representation principle" in cabinet selection--the regional factor. Other selection factors discussed include gender, ethnicity and occupational, legislative and educational background and hierarchy within cabinet. In addition, the thesis treats not only initial cabinet formation but also interim shuffles. The cabinet construction and change undertaken by Mulroney and Chre?tien demonstrate that cabinet conventions of regional representation, in particular, have continued to be in practice for the last twenty years.