Minister of Pensions and National Health was an office in the Cabinet of Canada from 1928 to 1944 who oversaw the Department of Pensions and National Health.
Prior to 1928, certain responsibilities of the Pensions and National Health portfolio were carried out by the now-defunct post of Minister of Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment. That office, along with The Department of Health Act, were abolished and the office of Minister of Pensions and National Health was created on 1928 June 11 by Statute 18-19 George V, c. 39.[1]
In 1944, the portfolio was divided to create the posts of Minister of National Health and Welfare and Minister of Veterans Affairs.
Before 1872, the Department of Agriculture was responsible for public health across Canada. After that, the responsibility was divided among the Department of Marines and Fisheries, Agriculture, and Inland Revenue. The department of Finance and the Commission of Conservation were responsible for addressing tuberculosis, while a National Council of Health operated under the Commission of Conservation for other public health matters. Given the division of responsibility, The Canadian Medical Association and The Canadian Public Health Association to repeatedly urge the government to establish a Department of Health. Over the years, various public organizations, especially women's societies, presented petitions to the Government requesting the creation of the Department. In 1919, the Department of health was finally created with specific responsibilities and powers assigned to its branches.[2]
| No. | Name | Period in office | Ministry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | James King | June 11, 1928 – June 18, 1930 | William Lyon Mackenzie King |
| 2. | James Ralston | June 19, 1930 – August 7, 1930 | |
| 3. | Murray MacLaren | August 7, 1930 – November 16, 1934 | Richard Bedford Bennett |
| 4. | Donald Matheson Sutherland | November 17, 1934 – October 23, 1935 | |
| 5. | Charles Power | October 24, 1935 – September 18, 1939 | William Lyon Mackenzie King |
| 6. | Ian Alistair Mackenzie | September 19, 1939 – July 4, 1944 |