Canada/Minister/Transport

Canada/Minister/Transport  (Minister of Transportation)
Start	2 November 1936
Responsible for the Department of Transport, developing regulations, policies and services of road, rail, marine and air transportation in Canada.

The Minister of Transport is a Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet. The minister is responsible for overseeing the federal government's transportation regulatory and development department, Transport Canada, as well as Canada Post, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, Nav Canada, and the Port Authority system.

History

In 1867, the Canadian Constitution established federal responsibility for land and sea transportation between provinces and internationally. Most transportation duties and powers were placed under the Minister of Public Works, with responsibilities for ports and harbours going to the Minister of Marine and Fisheries. In 1879, the Department of Public Works was divided in two, with powers and duties over rail and inland sea transport going to the newly formed Minister of Railways and Canals. The Minister of Railways and Canals was one of the most important cabinet posts because of the importance of railways to the economic development of Canada, with three Prime Ministers assuming the position either before or during their premiership.

The office of Minister of Transport was created by Mackenzie King in 1936, which was formally a successor to the Minister of Railways and Canals, and C. D. Howe was appointed as the first Minister of Transport.

Transport Canada used to manage most of Canada's major airports, but in the 1990s, most airports were off-loaded to non-profit private airport authorities. The department is now responsible for transportation safety, appointments to Boards of Governors, and regulation management.

 

Office Holders on Wikispooks

Name	From	To
Lloyd Axworthy	12 August 1983	16 September 1984
Paul Hellyer	19 September 1967	30 April 1969

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