Guide to Canadian Ministries since Confederation

The Ministries


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

Twenty-Fourth Ministry

Progressive-Conservative 1
17 Sept. 1984 - 24 June 1993

Prime Minister
Right Honourable Martin Brian Mulroney

The Ministry
Position Title
NameService Date /
Termination Date
Minister of Agriculture
Hon. John Wise  2   17 Sept. 1984 - 14 Sept. 1988
Hon. Donald Frank Mazankowski  3   15 Sept. 1988 - 20 April 1991
Hon. William Hunter McKnight  4   21 April 1991 - 3 Jan. 1993
Hon. Charles James Mayer   4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Minister for the purpose of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act5  
Hon. Gerald Stairs Merrithew  6   15 Sept. 1988 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Elmer MacIntosh MacKay  7   30 Jan. 1989 - 20 April 1991
Hon. John Carnell Crosbie  8   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Communications
Hon. Marcel Masse   17 Sept. 1984 - 25 Sept. 1985
Hon. Benoît Bouchard   26 Sept. 1985 - 29 Nov. 1985
Hon. Marcel Masse  9   30 Nov. 1985 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Flora Isabel MacDonald  10   30 June 1986 - 7 Dec. 1988
Hon. Lowell Murray  11   8 Dec. 1988 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Marcel Masse  9   30 Jan. 1989 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Henry Perrin Beatty  12   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs
Hon. Michel Côté  13   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Harvie Andre  14   30 June 1986 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Bernard Valcourt  15   30 Jan. 1989 - 1 Aug. 1989
Hon. Harvie Andre   2 Aug. 1989 - 22 Feb. 1990
Hon. Pierre Blais  16   23 Feb. 1990 - 3 Jan. 1993
Hon. Pierre H. Vincent  17   4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Employment and Immigration
Hon. Flora Isabel MacDonald  10   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Benoît Bouchard  18   30 June 1986 - 30 March 1988
Hon. Barbara Jean McDougall  19   31 March 1988 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Bernard Valcourt  15   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources
Hon. Patricia Carney  20   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Marcel Masse  9   30 June 1986 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Arthur Jacob Epp  21   30 Jan. 1989 - 3 Jan. 1993
Hon. William Hunter McKnight  4   4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Minister of the Environment
Hon. Suzanne Blais-Grenier  22   17 Sept. 1984 - 19 Aug. 1985
Hon. Thomas Michael McMillan  23   20 Aug. 1985 - 7 Dec. 1988
Hon. Lucien Bouchard   8 Dec. 1988 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Lucien Bouchard  24   30 Jan. 1989 - 21 May 1990
Hon. Frank Oberle  25   22 May 1990 - 22 May 1990
Hon. Robert René de Cotret  26   22 May 1990 - 19 Sept. 1990
Hon. Robert René de Cotret  27   20 Sept. 1990 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Jean Charest   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Secretary of State for External Affairs
Rt Hon. Charles Joseph Clark  28   17 Sept. 1984 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Barbara Jean McDougall   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Minister for External Relations
Hon. Monique Vézina  29   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Monique Landry  30   30 June 1986 - 3 Jan. 1993
Hon. Monique Vézina  31   4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Finance
Hon. Michael Holcombe Wilson  32   17 Sept. 1984 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Donald Frank Mazankowski  3   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Hon. John Allen Fraser  33   17 Sept. 1984 - 23 Sept. 1985
Hon. Erik H. Neilson   24 Sept. 1985 - 19 Nov. 1985
Hon. Thomas Edward Siddon  34   20 Nov. 1985 - 22 Feb. 1990
Hon. Bernard Valcourt  15   23 Feb. 1990 - 20 April 1991
Hon. John Carnell Crosbie  8   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Ministry of Forestry35  
Hon. Frank Oberle  36   23 Feb. 1990 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Hon. David Edward Crombie  37   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. William Hunter McKnight  4   30 June 1986 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Pierre Cadieux  38   30 Jan. 1989 - 22 Feb. 1990
Hon. Thomas Edward Siddon  34   23 Feb. 1990 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Industry, Science and Technology39  
Hon. Benoît Bouchard  18   23 Feb. 1990 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Michael Holcombe Wilson  32   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Minister for International Trade
Hon. James Francis Kelleher  40   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Patricia Carney  20   30 June 1986 - 30 March 1988
Hon. John Carnell Crosbie  8   31 March 1988 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Michael Holcombe Wilson  32   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Hon. John Carnell Crosbie  8   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Ramon John Hnatyshyn  41   30 June 1986 - 7 Dec. 1988
Charles Joseph Clark   8 Dec. 1988 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Douglas Grinslade Lewis  42   30 Jan. 1989 - 22 Feb. 1990
Hon. Kim Campbell  43   23 Feb. 1990 - 3 Jan. 1993
Hon. Pierre Blais  16   4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Labour
Hon. William Hunter McKnight  4   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Pierre H. Cadieux  38   30 June 1986 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Jean Corbeil  44   30 Jan. 1989 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Marcel Danis   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Leader of the Government in the Senate
Hon. Duff Roblin   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Lowell Murray  11   30 June 1986 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship45  
Hon. Gerry Weiner   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Associate Minister of National Defence
Vacant  17 Sept. 1984 - 19 Aug. 1985
Hon. Harvie Andre  14   20 Aug. 1985 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Paul Wyatt Dick  46   30 June 1986 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Mary Collins  47   30 Jan. 1989 - 3 Jan. 1993
Vacant  4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Minister of National Defence
Hon. Robert Carman Coates  48   17 Sept. 1984 - 11 Feb. 1985
Hon. Erik H. Nielsen   12 Feb. 1985 - 26 Feb. 1985
Hon. Erik H. Nielsen  49   27 Feb. 1985 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Henry Perrin Beatty  12   30 June 1986 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. William Hunter McKnight  4   30 Jan. 1989 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Marcel Masse  9   21 April 1991 - 3 Jan. 1993
Hon. Kim Campbell  43   4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Minister of National Health and Welfare
Hon. Arthur Jacob Epp  21   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Henry Perrin Beatty  12   20 Jan. 1989 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Benoît Bouchard  18   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Minister of National Revenue
Hon. Perrin Beatty  12   17 Sept. 1984 - 19 Aug. 1985
Hon. Elmer MacIntosh MacKay  7   20 Aug. 1985 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Otto John Jelinek   30 Jan. 1989 - 24 June 1993

President of the Privy Council
Hon. Erik H. Nielsen  49   17 Sept. 1984 - 26 Feb. 1985
Hon. Ramon John Hnatyshyn  41   27 Feb. 1985 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Donald Frank Mazankowski  3   30 June 1986 - 20 April 1991
Rt Hon. Charles Joseph Clark  28   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Public Works
Hon. Roch LaSalle  50   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Stewart McInnes  51   30 June 1986 - 7 Dec. 1988
Hon. Otto John Jelinek   8 Dec. 1988 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Elmer MacIntosh MacKay  7   30 Jan. 1989 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Regional Industrial Expansion
Hon. Sinclair McKight Stevens  52   17 Sept. 1984 - 12 May 1986
Hon. Donald Frank Mazankowski   13 May 1986 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Michel Côté  13   30 June 1986 - 26 Aug. 1987
Hon. Robert René de Cotret  27   27 Aug. 1987 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Harvie Andre  14   30 Jan. 1989 - 22 Feb. 1990

Minister for Science53  
Hon. William Charles Winegard  54   23 Feb. 1990 - 3 Jan. 1993
Hon. Thomas Hockin  55   4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Secretary of State of Canada
Hon. Walter Franklin McLean  56   17 Sept. 1984 - 19 Aug. 1985
Hon. Benoît Bouchard  18   20 Aug. 1985 - 29 June 1986
Hon. David Edward Crombie  37   30 June 1986 - 30 March 1988
Hon. Lucien Bouchard  24   31 March 1988 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Gerry Weiner  57   30 Jan. 1989 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Robert René de Cotret  27   21 April 1991 - 3 Jan. 1993
Hon. Monique Landry   4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Solicitor General of Canada
Hon. Elmer MacIntosh MacKay  7   17 Sept. 1984 - 19 Aug. 1985
Hon. Henry Perrin Beatty  12   20 Aug. 1985 - 29 June 1986
Hon. James Francis Kelleher  40   30 June 1986 - 7 Dec. 1988
Hon. Henry Perrin Beatty   8 Dec. 1988 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Pierre Blais  16   30 Jan. 1989 - 22 Feb. 1990
Hon. Pierre H. Cadieux  58  38   23 Feb. 1990 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Douglas Grinslade Lewis  42   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Supply and Services
Hon. Harvie Andre  14   17 Sept. 1984 - 19 Aug. 1985
Hon. Stewart McInnes  51   20 Aug. 1985 - 29 June 1986
Hon. Monique Vézina  59   30 June 1986 - 26 Aug. 1987
Hon. Michel Côté  13   27 Aug. 1987 - 2 Feb. 1988
Hon. Stewart McInnes   3 Feb. 1988 - 30 March 1988
Hon. Otto John Jelinek  60   31 March 1988 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Paul Wyatt Dick   30 Jan. 1989 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Transport
Hon. Donald F. Mazankowski  3   17 Sept. 1984 - 29 June 1986
Hon. John Carnell Crosbie  8   30 June 1986 - 30 March 1988
Hon. Benoît Bouchard  18   31 March 1988 - 22 Feb. 1990
Hon. Douglas Grinslade Lewis  42   23 Feb. 1990 - 20 April 1991
Hon. Jean Corbeil   21 April 1991 - 24 June 1993

President of the Treasury Board
Hon. Robert René de Cotret  27   17 Sept. 1984 - 26 Aug. 1987
Hon. Donald Frank Mazankowski  3   27 Aug. 1987 - 30 March 1988
Hon. Patricia Carney  20   31 March 1988 - 27 Sept. 1988
Hon. Michael Holcombe Wilson   28 Sept. 1988 - 6 Dec. 1988
Hon. Douglas Grinslade Lewis   7 Dec. 1988 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Robert René de Cotret  27   30 Jan. 1989 - 19 Sept. 1990
Hon. Gilles Loiselle  61   20 Sept. 1990 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Veterans Affairs
Hon. George Harris Hees  62   17 Sept. 1984 - 14 Sept. 1988
Hon. Gerald Stairs Merrithew  6   15 Sept. 1988 - 3 Jan. 1993
Hon. Kim Campbell  43   4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Minister of Western Economic Diversification63  
Hon. William Hunter McKnight  4   28 June 1988 - 29 Jan. 1989
Hon. Charles James Mayer  64   30 Jan. 1989 - 3 Jan. 1993
Hon. Mary Collins  47   4 Jan. 1993 - 24 June 1993

Footnotes

  • [1] After the defeat of the Government in the general election of September 4, 1984, Turner formally tendered his resignation on September 17, 1984. On the same day the Twenty-Fourth Ministry took office. It was composed of 40 ministers.
  • [2] Wise resigned from the Ministry.
  • [3] Mazankowski was appointed Minister of Transport on September 17, 1984; he was also Acting Minister of Regional Industrial Expansion from May 13, 1986 to June 29, 1986. He was appointed President of the Privy Council and given the title "Deputy Prime Minister" on 30 June 1986; Minister of Agriculture on September 15, 1988 (while still President of the Privy Council); and Minister of Finance on April 21, 1991.
  • [4] McKnight was appointed Minister of Labour on September 17, 1984; Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development on June 30, 1986; Minister of Western Economic Diversification on June 28, 1988; Minister of National Defence on January 30, 1989; Minister of Agriculture on April 21, 1991; and Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources on January 4, 1993.
  • [5] The office of Minister for the purpose of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act was created by Statutes of Canada 1988, c. 50, assented to on August 19, 1988 and in force on September 15, 1988.
  • [6] Merrithew was appointed Minister for the purpose of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act and Minister of Veterans Affairs on September 15, 1988. He resigned from the Ministry on January 3, 1993.
  • [7] MacKay was Sollicitor General of Canada on September 17, 1984; Minister of National Revenue on August 20, 1985; and Minister of Public Works and Minister for the purpose of the Altantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act on January 30, 1989.
  • [8] Crosbie was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General on September 17, 1984; Minister of Transport on June 30, 1986; Minister for International Trade on March 31, 1988; and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency on April 21, 1991.
  • [9] Masse was appointed Minister of Communications on September 17, 1984 and resigned on September 25, 1985. He returned to the Ministry and was appointed Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources on June 30, 1986; Minister of Communications on January 30, 1989; and Minister of National Defence on April 21, 1991.
  • [10] MacDonald was appointed Minister of Employment and Immigration on September 17, 1984; and Minister of Communications on June 30, 1986. She was defeated in the general election of November 21, 1988 and resigned from the Ministry on December 7, 1988.
  • [11] Murray was also Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Federal-Provincial Relations) from June 30, 1986 to April 20, 1989; and Minister of State (Federal-Provincial Relations) from June 30, 1986 to April 20, 1991.
  • [12] Beatty was appointed Minister of National Revenue on September 17, 1984; Solicitor General of Canada on August 20, 1985; Minister of National Defence on June 20, 1986; Minister of National Health and Welfare on January 30, 1989; and Minister of Communications on April 21, 1991.
  • [13] Côté was appointed Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs on September 17, 1984; Minister of State for Science and Technology from August 11, 1987 to August 26,1987; Minister of Regional Industrial Expansion on June 30, 1986; and Minister of Supply and Services on August 27, 1987. He resigned from the Ministry on February 2, 1988.
  • [14] Andre was appointed Minister of Supply and Services on September 17, 1984; Associate Minister of National Defence on August 20, 1985; Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs on June 30, 1986; Minister of Regional Industrial Expansion and Minister of State for Science and Technology on January 30, 1989; Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons on February 23, 1990. He was assigned by Order in Council P.C. 1990-408 of February 23, 1990, a Minister of State, to assist the Prime Minister in relation to the business of the House of Commons.
  • [15] Valcourt was appointed Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs on January 30, 1989 and resigned from that position on August 2, 1989. He was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on February 23, 1990; and Minister of Employment and Immigration on April 21, 1991.
  • [16] Blais was appointed Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs on February 23, 1990; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada on January 4, 1993; remained Minister of State (Agriculture).
  • [17] Vincent was also Minister of State (Indian Affairs and Northern Development).
  • [18] Benoît Bouchard was appointed Secretary of State Canada on August 20, 1985; Minister of Transport on March 31, 1986; Minister of Employment and Immigration on June 30, 1986; Minister of Industry, Science and Technology on February 23, 1990; and Minister of National Health and Welfare on April 21, 1991.
  • [19] McDougall was appointed Secretary of State for External Affairs on April 21, 1991.
  • [20] Carney was appointed Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources on September 17, 1984; Minister for International Trade on June 30, 1986 and President of the Treasury Board on March 31, 1988. She resigned from the Ministry on September 27, 1988.
  • [21] Epp was appointed Minister of National Health and Welfare on September 17, 1984; and Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources on January 30, 1989. He resigned on January 3, 1993.
  • [22] Blais-Grenier was appointed Minister of State (Transport) on August 20, 1985.
  • [23] McMillan was defeated in the general election of November 21, 1988 and resigned from the Ministry on December 7, 1988.
  • [24] Lucien Bouchard was appointed Secretary of State of Canada on March 31, 1988; and Minister of the Environment on January 30, 1989. He resigned on May 21, 1990.
  • [25] Oberle who was the Minister of Forestry was acting Minister of the Environment for only one day on May 22, 1990.
  • [26] René de Cotret who was President of the Treasury Board was acting Minister of the Environment from May 23, 1990 to September 19, 1990.
  • [27] René de Cotret was appointed President of the Treasury Board on September 17, 1984; Minister of Regional Industrial Expansion and Minister of State for Science and Technology on August 27, 1987; President of the Treasury Board on June 30, 1989; Minister of the Environment on September 20, 1990; and Secretary of State of Canada on April 21, 1991. He resigned from the Ministry on January 3, 1993.
  • [28] Clark was appointed Secretary of State for External Affairs on September 17, 1984 and President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada on April 21, 1991. He was also the Minister responsible for Constitutional Affairs.
  • [29] Vézina was appointed Minister of Supply and Services on June 30, 1986.
  • [30] Landry was appointed Secretary of State of Canada on January 4, 1993.
  • [31] Vézina also remained Minister of State (Seniors).
  • [32] Wilson was appointed Minister of Finance on September 17, 1984; and Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister for International Trade on April 21, 1991.
  • [33] Fraser resigned from the Ministry on September 23, 1985.
  • [34] Siddon was appointed Minister of State for Science and Technology on September 17, 1984; Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on November 27, 1985; and Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development on February 23, 1990.
  • [35] The office of Minister of Forestry was created by Statutes of Canada, 1989, assented to on December 21, 1989 and in force on February 23, 1990.
  • [36] Oberle was appointed Minister of State (Science and Technology) on August 11, 1987; and Minister of Forestry on February 23, 1990.
  • [37] Crombie was appointed Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development on September 17, 1984; and Secretary of State of Canada on June 30, 1986. He resigned from the Ministry on March 30, 1988.
  • [38] Cadieux was appointed Minister of Labour on June 30, 1986; Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development on January 30, 1989; and Solicitor General of Canada on February 23, 1990.
  • [39] The office of the Minister of Industry, Science and Technology was created by Statutes of Canada, 1990, c. 1, assented to on January 30, 1990 and in force on February 23, 1990.
  • [40] Kelleher was appointed Minister of International Trade on September 17, 1984; and Sollicitor General on June 30, 1986. He was defeated in the general election of November 21, 1988 and resigned from the Ministry on December 7, 1988.
  • [41] Hnatyshyn was appointed President of the Privy Council on February 27, 1985; and Minister of Justice and Attorney General on June 30, 1986. He was defeated in the general election of November 21, 1988 and resigned from the Ministry on December 7, 1988.
  • [42] Lewis was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General on January 30, 1989; Minister of Transport on February 23, 1990; and Solicitor General of Canada on April 21, 1991.
  • [43] Campbell was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General on February 23, 1990 and Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs on January 4, 1993.
  • [44] Corbeil who was also Minister of State (Transport) from February 23, 1990 to April 20, 1991, was appointed Minister of Transport on April 21, 1991.
  • [45] The office of Minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship was created by Statutes of Canada 1991, assented to on January 17, 1991 and in force on April 21, 1991.
  • [46] Dick was appointed Minister of Supply and Services on January 30, 1989.
  • [47] Collins was appointed Associate Minister of National Defence on January 30, 1989 and the Minister responsible for the Status of Women; and Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Environment) on January 4, 1993. She resigned from the Ministry on February 11, 1985.
  • [48] Coates resigned from the Ministry on February 11, 1985.
  • [49] Nielsen was appointed President of the Privy Council and Deputy Prime Minister on September 17, 1984; and Minister of National Defence on February 27, 1985 (he continued to have the title of Deputy Prime Minister). He resigned on June 29, 1986.
  • [50] LaSalle was appointed Minister of State on June 30, 1986.
  • [51] McInnes was appointed Minister of Supply and Services on August 20, 1985; and Minister of Public Works on June 30, 1986. He was defeated in the general election of November 21, 1988 and resigned from the Ministry on December 7, 1988.
  • [52] Stevens resigned from the Ministry on May 12, 1986.
  • [53] The office of Minister for Science was created by Statutes of Canada, 1990, c. 1, assented to on January 30, 1990 and in force on February 23, 1990.
  • [54] Winegard resigned from the Ministry on January 3, 1993.
  • [55] Hockin also remained Minister of State (Small Businesses and Tourism).
  • [56] McLean was appointed Minister of State (Immigration) on August 20, 1985.
  • [57] Weiner was appointed Minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship on April 21, 1991.
  • [58] Cadieux was appointed Minister of State (Fitness and Amateur Sport) and Minister of State (Youth) on April 21, 1991.
  • [59] Vézina was appointed Minister of State (Transport) on August 27, 1987.
  • [60] Jelinek was appointed Minister of National Revenue on January 30, 1989.
  • [61] Loiselle was also Minister of State (Finance).
  • [62] Hees resigned from the Ministry on September 14, 1988.
  • [63] The office of Minister of Western Economic Diversification was created by Statutes of Canada 1988, c. 17, assented to on June 8, 1988 and in force on June 28, 1988.
  • [64] Mayer was also Minister of State (Grains and Oilseeds). He was appointed Minister of Agriculture on January 4, 1993.