Heritage Minister Designated for Multiculturalism

Summary#

An order published in the Canada Gazette on March 26, 2025 (Registration SI/2025-45) names the Minister of Canadian Heritage as the minister responsible for the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. The order (P.C. 2025-426, dated March 14, 2025) also repeals an earlier order (P.C. 2023-771 of July 26, 2023).

What it does#

• Repeals the earlier Order in Council P.C. 2023-771 (registered as SI/2023-41), which had previously set which minister was responsible under the Act.
• Designates the Minister of Canadian Heritage as the minister for the purposes of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (action recorded as P.C. 2025-426, dated March 14, 2025).
• Uses the Act’s definition of “Minister” (section 2) to make the change.

Who's affected#

• The federal department and minister now formally listed as responsible: the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
• Federal officials and programs that operate under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
• Community groups, service providers, researchers, and members of the public who look to the federal government for multiculturalism programs, funding, or policy guidance.
• It is unclear from the order if this will change any day-to-day program delivery or funding; the document records a formal designation rather than new program rules.

Why it matters#

• The order clarifies which minister is legally responsible for the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. That affects who answers questions in Parliament, who approves related policies, and which ministerial office people should contact about federal multiculturalism matters.
• For most of the public, this is a routine administrative step with limited immediate impact. For organizations and officials working with multiculturalism programs, it identifies the official point of accountability.