Guide to Canadian Ministries since Confederation
Twenty-Fifth Ministry
[*] Progressive-Conservative
1
25 June 1993 - 3 Nov. 1993
Prime Minister
Right Honourable Kim Campbell
Footnotes
- [*]
On June 25, 1993, Prime Minister Kim Campbell announced the appointment of 24 Ministers, together with a significant downsizing and restructuring plan of government.
The number of departments were reduced from 32 to 23. Eight departments were created or fundamentally redesigned, three received new mandates and another 15 were merged or broken up. All departments were streamlined;
All "Ministries of State" positions were abolished and the Cabinet decision-making system was streamlined to restore full Cabinet as the forum for decision-making.
Among these key changes in the restructuring plans were:
- the creation of a new Human Resources Development and Labour portfolio which included the former Department of Labour plus responsibility for employment and training, social services and income support programs, and transfers for post-secondary education. The Minister was also given responsibility for immigrant settlement programs in the setting of immigration levels and selection criteria;
- a new industry portfolio with special emphasis on small businesses. The new portfolio included responsibility for telecommunications policy and programs, as well as business framework, competition and consumer protection responsibilities;
- the assignment to the Minister of Agriculture of additional responsibility for Canadians living in small communities and rural areas to review the impact of federal initiatives on rural and resource-based areas of Canada. The portfolio was also re-mandated as Agriculture and Agri-Food, reflecting the addition of responsibility for food processing and manufacturing and consumer labelling;
- a new Natural Resources portfolio that combined the Departments of Forestry and Energy, Mines and Resources;
- a new Canadian Heritage portfolio which combined responsibility for official languages, arts and culture, broadcasting, parks and historic sites, and programs in the areas of multiculturalism, citizenship, state ceremonial, amateur sport and the National Capital Commission;
- a re-mandated Health portfolio focussed on the policy and funding challenges of a sustainable health system in Canada;
- a new Public Works and Government Services portfolio combined the former Departments of Public Works and Supply and Services and also includes the Government Telecommunications Agency and the Translation Bureau.
The foregoing changes were legally effected by Orders in Council. Until the passage of new department statutes, Ministers were formerly appointed to the existing portfolios from which their new portfolios were being created. However, their new responsibilities took full legal effect immediately.
- [1] On June 25, 1993, Mulroney resigned as Prime Minister and the Twenty-Fifth Ministry assumed office. It was composed of 25 ministers. All "Minister of State" positions were abolished.