External Affairs (1909-06-01 - 1995-05-12)
The Department of External Affairs was established pursuant to Statute 8-9 Edward VII, c. 13, assented to May 19, 1909 and proclaimed in force June 1, 1909. The Department was to be presided over by the Secretary of State of Canada. The office of Secretary of State for External Affairs was created by Statute 2 George V, c. 22, assented to April 1, 1912. By this Act the Prime Minister was to hold the office ex officio.
- 1935-10-23
Department Change
The Prime Minister was ex officio the Secretary of State for External Affairs until May 27, 1946. Statute 10 George VI, c. 6, assented to May 28, 1946, terminated this ex officio relationship.
- 1983-12-07
Department Change
The offices of Secretary of State for External Affairs, Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce, and the Minister of Regional Economic Expansion were abolished and the offices of Secretary of State for External Affairs assisted by a Minister of International Trade and possibly a Minister of External Relations, and a Minister of Regional Industrial Expansion were created by Statute 29-30-31-32 Elizabeth II, c. 167, assented to November 17, 1983 and in force December 7, 1983.
- 1995-05-13
Department Change
Statute 42-43-44 Elizabeth II, c. 5 (1995), assented to March 26, 1995 and in force May 13, 1995 continues the Department of External Affairs under the name of Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, with a presiding minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It changes the French version of the title of the Minister for International Trade (ministre du Commerce extérieur) to the ministre du Commerce international and makes the required changes to the titles of officials of the Department. The Minister for External Relations becomes the Minister for International Cooperation.
- 1982-01-12
Department Change
Lumley and Regan were respectively assigned by Order in Council P.C. 1982-18 of January 12, 1982, and by Order in Council P.C. 1982-3161 of October 12, 1982, to assist the Secretary of State for External Affairs in the carrying out of the latter's responsibilities in respect of international trade and export promotion. They were given the title "Minister of State (International Trade)".
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade (1995-05-13 - 2013-06-25)
Statute 42-43-44 Elizabeth II, c. 5 (1995), assented to March 26, 1995 and in force May 13, 1995 continues the Department of External Affairs under the name of Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, with a presiding minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It changes the French version of the title of the Minister for International Trade (ministre du Commerce extérieur) to the ministre du Commerce international and makes the required changes to the titles of officials of the Department. The Minister for External Relations becomes the Minister for International Cooperation.