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Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada) facts for kids

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Minister of Foreign Affairs
Joly cropped.jpg
Incumbent
Mélanie Joly
since 26 October 2021
Global Affairs Canada
Style The Honourable
Member of
Reports to
Appointer Monarch (represented by the Governor General)
on the advice of the Prime Minister
Term length At His Majesty's pleasure
Inaugural holder André Ouellet
Formation 4 November 1993
Salary CA$269,800 (2019)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs is a very important job in the Canadian government. This person is in charge of Canada's relationships with other countries around the world. They lead a big government department called Global Affairs Canada.

This minister also helps oversee other important groups. These include the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development and the International Development Research Centre. These groups work on human rights and research to help development in other countries.

Before 1993, this role was called the Secretary of State for External Affairs. For many years, from 1912 to 1946, the Prime Minister often held this job too. This shows how important international relations have always been for Canada.

Canada's Global Impact: Key Ministers

Ministers in charge of foreign affairs have sometimes played big roles on the world stage. They have helped solve problems and make important agreements.

Solving International Crises

  • Lester B. Pearson was a future Prime Minister. He helped calm down a big problem called the Suez Crisis in 1956. He also helped create the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. These forces help keep peace in troubled areas. For his efforts, he won the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize.

Banning Landmines Worldwide

  • Lloyd Axworthy helped create the Ottawa Treaty. This important treaty bans anti-personnel landmines. These are dangerous bombs hidden in the ground. Most countries in the world have agreed to this ban.

A Step Towards Prime Minister

Sometimes, being the Minister of Foreign Affairs can be a step towards becoming Prime Minister. Both Lester Pearson and Louis St. Laurent held this job before becoming Prime Minister. This shows how much trust and experience is needed for this role.

Ministers with Diplomatic Experience

Some ministers have worked as diplomats before or after holding this important job. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in another country.

Before Becoming Minister

Lester B. Pearson is the only person to have been a career diplomat before becoming the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He worked for Canada's foreign service starting in 1927. He even became the Canadian Ambassador to the United States from 1944 to 1946.

After Leaving the Role

Other ministers have become diplomats after their time in politics. For example, Paul Martin Sr. became the Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. This is like being an ambassador to a Commonwealth country.

More recently, Lawrence Cannon became Canada's ambassador to France in 2012. Stéphane Dion was named Canada's ambassador to the European Union and Germany in 2017. These examples show how former ministers continue to serve Canada on the world stage.

Images for kids

  • Charles Murphy

    Charles Murphy

  • William James Roche

    William James Roche

  • RobertLBorden

    Robert Borden

  • Former PM Arthur Meighen

    Arthur Meighen

  • Wm Lyon Mackenzie King

    William Lyon Mackenzie King

  • Richard Bedford Bennett

    Richard Bedford Bennett

  • Louisstlaurent

    Louis St. Laurent

  • Lester B. Pearson with a pencil

    Lester B. Pearson

  • John G. Diefenbaker

    John Diefenbaker

  • Sidney Smith

    Sidney Earle Smith

  • Howard Charles Green

    Howard Charles Green

  • Paul Martin Sr Portrait 1943 (cropped)

    Paul Martin Sr.

  • Mitchell Sharp 1962 Toronto Star (Restored) (cropped 3-4)

    Mitchell Sharp

  • Allan MacEachen

    Allan MacEachen

  • Don-Jamieson

    Don Jamieson

  • Flora MacDonald in 1987. (48198888636)

    Flora MacDonald

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    No image available

  • Jean Chrétien1

    Jean Chrétien

  • JoeClark

    Joe Clark

  • Lloyd Axworthy (1999)

    Lloyd Axworthy

  • John Manley IMF

    John Manley

  • Bill Graham by Rod Brito

    Bill Graham

  • PierrePettigrew

    Pierre Pettigrew

  • Peter MacKay 2014

    Peter MacKay

  • Maxime Bernier

    Maxime Bernier

  • Lawrence Cannon on March 29, 2010

    Lawrence Cannon

  • John Baird - Canadian MP

    John Baird

  • Ed Fast visits University of the Fraser Valley

    Ed Fast

  • Rob Nicholson 2013 crop

    Rob Nicholson

  • Canadian Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion - 2016 (28405975206) (cropped)

    Stéphane Dion

  • Chrystia Freeland at OSCE - 2017 (38910129611) (cropped)

    Chrystia Freeland

  • François-Philippe Champagne, 2017 (cropped)

    François-Philippe Champagne

  • Marc Garneau - 2018 (42748534304) (cropped)

    Marc Garneau

  • Mélanie Joly, Foreign Minister of Canada in 2024 (cropped)

    Mélanie Joly

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