The minister of families, children and social development (French: ministre de la famille, des enfants et du développement social) is a minister of the Crown in the Cabinet of Canada. The associated department is Employment and Social Development Canada. On March 14, 2025 the position was abolished, its responsibilities being consolidated into the new position of Minister of Jobs and Families.
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History
The position of Minister of Social Development was created in 2000 to be responsible for overseeing Social Development Canada a new federal department concerned with the needs of seniors, children, families and people with disabilities. Prior to 2003, these responsibilities were under the Minister of Human Resources Development.
On February 4, 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper merged the personnel and responsibilities of Social Development Canada into Human Resources and Skills Development Canada using an Order in Council, and did not name anybody to the post of Minister of Social Development.
On November 4, 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau transferred the employment responsibilities to the Minister of Labour and changed the name of the portfolio to Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
The position was abolished on March 14, 2025, its responsibilities being consolidated into the new position of Minister of Jobs and Families.
Role
The Minister is also responsible for the:
Canada Pension Plan: Pension Appeals Board
Canada Pension Plan: Review Tribunals
List of ministers
Key:
Minister of State for Social Development
On July 15, 2012, MP Candice Bergen was appointed Minister of State for Social Development, a newly created position that was abolished two years later.