Leader of the House Named Referendum Minister

Summary#

This is the federal Order titled Order Designating the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons as the Minister for the Purposes of the Referendum Act (registered as SI/2025-52 on March 26, 2025). It repeals an earlier order and names the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons as the minister responsible for the Referendum Act.

What it does#

• Repeals Order in Council P.C. 2025-83 of February 12, 2025.
• By P.C. 2025-433 (dated March 14, 2025), it designates the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, a member of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, as the Minister for the purposes of the Referendum Act.

Who's affected#

• The person who holds the office of Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.
• Federal officials and staff who support the minister in matters related to the Referendum Act.
• Members of the public, organizations, or campaigners who would be involved in a federal referendum — indirectly, because the designation determines which minister has formal responsibility.

If it is unclear who currently carries out any operational tasks under the Act, the Order does not spell those out.

Why it matters#

• It clarifies which cabinet office has formal responsibility for the Referendum Act. That matters if a federal referendum is called, because this minister would be the official who answers to Parliament and coordinates government action on referendum issues.
• The change is administrative: it does not itself change how referendums are run under the Act.