Minister responsible for Official Languages (Canada)
The minister responsible for official languages is a minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet. The minister is supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage and is responsible for administering Official Languages Act.
The role has been held by Marc Miller since 2025. The minister is selected by the prime minister and appointed by the Crown. The position was first introduced in 2003 and the position has often been held in conjunction with another portfolio, such as minister responsible for La Francophonie or minister of Canadian heritage.
Background
In 2003, the first minister responsible for Official Languages was sworn in, on the creation of the "Official Languages Branch of Intergovernmental Affairs" within the Privy Council Office. In 2006, responsibility was shifted from the Privy Council Office to the Department of Canadian Heritage, and the branch was renamed the "Official Languages Secretariat".Sections 42 and 43 of the Official Languages ''Act'' give the minister of Canadian heritage the specific responsibility of taking measures to advance the equality of status and use of English and French in Canadian society; under section 44 of that Act, the minister must submit annual reports to Parliament on the matters relating to official languages for which the minister is responsible.