Style The Honourable Inaugural holder Ian Alistair Mackenzie | Member of Cabinet
Privy Council Formation 18 October 1944 | |
Appointer Governor General of Canada Term length At Her Majesty's pleasure | ||
The Minister of Veterans Affairs (French: Ministre des Anciens Combattants) is the Minister of the Crown responsible for the Veterans Affairs Canada.
Contents
History
The position was created in the Canadian Cabinet in 1944. The Department of Veterans Affairs Canada was split from the Department of Pensions and National Health and was given the responsibility of administering benefits and pensions for war veterans. Its first responsibility was assisting in the reintegration of demobilised soldiers into civilian life and assisting them with health care, education, employment, loans and pensions.
The department is largely responsible for medical care and pensions for aging veterans via the Canadian Pension Commission, War Veterans Appeal Board, and Bureau of Pensions Advocates.
On November 4, 2015, Kent Hehr was appointed as minister.
Ministers
Key:
Prior to 1944, the responsibilities of the current Veterans Affairs portfolio were part of the now-defunct post of Minister of Pensions and National Health.
Military Service
Many ministers, all of whom were officers, have had prior military experience. The posting does not however require prior military service.