Government of Canada to formalize the equal status of ministerial team

September 27, 2016 - Ottawa, Ontario — The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Honourable Bardish Chagger, today introduced legislation to amend the Salaries Act and equalize the status of the government’s ministerial team.

The Government of Canada is committed to creating a one-tier ministry that recognizes the equality of all Cabinet members and supports their work on the government’s priorities.

The legislative changes formalize what has been the practice of the past year. All members of the Prime Minister’s ministerial team were sworn in as ministers and have had full standing and authority, including salary, since Day One of this Government. 

The legislation formalizes the equal status of ministers by adding to the Salaries Act five ministerial positions that are currently minister of state appointments, and by creating a framework that ensures they continue to be supported by existing departments in carrying out their responsibilities.

Quotes

Quick facts

• The five new ministerial positions are: Minister of La Francophonie, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, Minister of Science, Minister of Status of Women, and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities.
  
• The legislation will create a framework within which these ministers can be supported by existing departments.  No new departments will need to be created.
  
• The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development will continue to be responsible for all regional development agencies.
  
• The legislation will also change the legal title of “Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs” to “Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.”

Contact

For further information:

Sabrina Atwal
Press Secretary
Office of the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
613-995-2727

This document is also available at http://www.news.gc.ca.