Ministry of Indigenous Affairs (Ontario)

Ministry of Indigenous Affairs
Ministère des Affaires autochtones  (French)
Government ministry overview
Formed 2007
Preceding Government ministry
  • Ontario Secretariat of Aboriginal Affairs
Jurisdiction Government of Ontario
Headquarters 4th Floor, 160 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Employees 150
Annual budget $ 71 million (2011-12 fiscal year)[1]
Ministers responsible
  • Hon. Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs
  • Ross Romano, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Indigenous Affairs
Website www.ontario.ca/ministry-aboriginal-affairs

The Ministry of Indigenous Affairs (formally called Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation) is the Government of Ontario ministry responsible for issues relating to First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Ontario. The current Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation is Hon. Greg Rickford who sits in the Executive Council of Ontario or cabinet.

History

From 1981 to 1985, indigenous issues were mainily the resposibilities of the Attorney General and the Provincial Secretary for Resources Development (as Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Native Affairs).

In June 1985, Premier David Peterson designated a minister responsible for "native affairs" for the first time in Ontario history.

In 1987, the Ontario Native Affairs Directorate was established. It was renamed the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat in 1991. The entity acted as a support for the Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, and was headed by an Executive Director and later a Secretary, who for the most part held the rank of Assistant Deputy Attorney General. In 2006, the Secretariat's name was changed to the Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat.

In June 2007, the standalone Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs replaced the Secretariat. In June 2016, the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation as part of Ontario's response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's 2015 Report. In June 2018, the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs.

The mandate of the ministry is to: promote collaboration and coordination across ministries on Aboriginal policy and programs; set priorities for and track the progress of Ontario's Aboriginal agenda; enhance government's awareness of Aboriginal people, issues and best practices for consulting and engaging with Aboriginal people; work with the federal government to find ways to make the most of federal funding; help Aboriginal people to access Ontario government programs, services and information; reform the land claims process to help address historical grievances; and encourage diversity, especially representation of Aboriginal people, in the Ontario Public Service.

The ministry has four key priorities: Stronger Indigenous Relationships; Improved Social Conditions; Economic Opportunity and Sustainability; and Enhanced Land Claim Settlements and Reconciliation.

Organization

  • Minister's Office
  • Deputy Minister's Office
  • Negotiations and Reconciliation Division
  • Aboriginal Relations and Ministry Partnerships Division
  • Strategic Policy and Planning Division
  • Legal Services Branch
  • Communications Branch
  • Corporate Management Division

2011-2012 Results-based Plan

List of Ministers

Portrait Name Term of office Tenure Political party
Ministry		 Note
Minister Responsible for Native Affairs
Ian Scott June 26, 1985October 1, 19905 years, 97 days Liberal
(Peterson)		 While Attorney General.
Bud Wildman October 1, 1990February 3, 19932 years, 125 days NDP
(Rae)		 While Minister of Natural Resources.
Howard Hampton February 3, 1993June 26, 19952 years, 143 days While Minister of Natural Resources.
Charles Harnick June 26, 1995June 17, 19993 years, 356 days PC
(Harris)		 While Attorney General.
Jim Flaherty June 17, 1999February 8, 20011 year, 236 days While Attorney General.
David Young February 8, 2001February 25, 20032 years, 17 days While Attorney General.
Norm Sterling February 25, 2003October 22, 2003239 days PC
(Eves)		 While Attorney General.
Michael Bryant October 23, 2003June 29, 20051 year, 249 days
(first instance)		 Liberal
(McGuinty)		 While Attorney General.
Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs
David Ramsay June 29, 2005June 21, 20072 years, 123 days While Minister of Natural Resources.
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
David Ramsay June 21, 2007October 30, 2007 Concurrently Minister of Natural Resources.
Michael Bryant October 30, 2007September 18, 2008324 days
(second instance)
(2 years, 209 days in total)		 Concurrently Government House Leader.
Brad Duguid September 18, 2008January 18, 20101 year, 122 days
Chris Bentley January 18, 2010October 20, 20111 year, 275 days
(first instance)		 Concurrently Attorney General.
Kathleen Wynne October 20, 2011November 5, 20121 year, 16 days Concurrently Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Resigned to seek Ontario Liberal Party leadership.
Chris Bentley November 5, 2012February 11, 201398 days
(second instance)
(2 years, 8 days in total)		 Appointed as interim minister. Concurrently Minister of Energy.
David Zimmer February 11, 2013June 13, 20165 years, 137 days Liberal
(Wynne)
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
David Zimmer June 13, 2016June 28, 2018
Minister of Indigenous Affairs
Greg Rickford June 29, 2018present112 days PC
(Ford)		 Concurrently Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.
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