New Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism

Summary#

This is the Order Designating the Minister of State (Diversity and Inclusion and Youth) as the Minister for the purposes of that Act (SI/2020-23). Made March 6, 2020 and published April 1, 2020, it names which cabinet member is officially responsible under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act by replacing an earlier order.

What it does#

• Repeals Order in Council P.C. 2015-1248 of November 4, 2015.
• Designates the Minister of State (Diversity and Inclusion and Youth) (a member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada) as the “Minister” for the purposes of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.

Who's affected#

• Federal officials who manage or deliver programs, funding, or policy under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
• Organizations and people who interact with the federal government on multiculturalism issues — for example, groups that apply for related grants or need to contact the responsible minister.
• The change is mainly an administrative reassignment inside government. It does not itself create new programs or rules.

Why it matters#

• It clarifies which minister is formally responsible for issues under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
• That affects who speaks for the government on multiculturalism, who signs off on related files, and where requests or complaints are routed.
• The action is routine: it changes the administrative point of contact rather than introducing new policy.