Minister of Fisheries (Canada) facts for kids

The minister of fisheries is a key member of the Canadian government who is in charge of protecting Canada's oceans and managing its fish populations. This person is a minister of the Crown, which means they are part of the Cabinet, a group of top advisors to the prime minister.

The minister leads two important groups:

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO): This department makes sure fishing is done sustainably, so there will be fish for future generations. It also does scientific research on ocean life.
• Canadian Coast Guard (CCG): This group keeps Canada's waters safe. They help ships in trouble, break up ice in the winter, and respond to emergencies like oil spills.

The prime minister chooses the minister of fisheries, who is then officially appointed. As of March 14, 2025, the minister is Joanne Thompson.

History of the Role

The job of looking after Canada's fisheries has changed a lot over the years. The title and responsibilities have been updated many times since Canada was formed in 1867.

Early Years: Marine and Fisheries

When Canada first became a country, there was one minister for both marine travel and fisheries. This minister of marine and fisheries was responsible for everything from lighthouses and shipping safety to managing the fish stocks. This combined role lasted from 1867 until 1930.

A Separate Minister for Fisheries

In 1930, the government decided the job was too big for one person. The role was split in two. A new minister of fisheries was created to focus only on fish and fishing. The other duties, like shipping, went to a new minister of marine, which later became part of the minister of transport's job.

Merging with Other Departments

The role continued to change. In 1969, the government combined fisheries with forestry, creating the minister of fisheries and forestry. This didn't last long, and in 1971, the job was merged again, this time with the minister of the environment.

For a few years, the environment minister was also in charge of fisheries. In 1974, Roméo LeBlanc was appointed as a special minister just for fisheries to help the environment minister.

The Modern Role: Fisheries and Oceans

In 1979, the government created the modern version of the job, called the minister of fisheries and oceans. This established the department that exists today, focusing on both the health of the oceans and the fishing industry.

The name of the role was changed in 2015 to minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to show that the minister was also in charge of the Coast Guard. In 2025, the title was simplified back to minister of fisheries.

In 2015, Hunter Tootoo became the first Indigenous person to be appointed as the minister of fisheries.

Images for kids

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