The office of Minister of Employment and Immigration, and Minister of Labour were abolished and the office of Minister of Human Resources Development created by Statute 42-43-44-45 Elizabeth II, c. 11 (1996), assented to May 29, 1996 and in force July 12, 1996. By this Act, a Minister of Labour may be appointed. Where no Minister of Labour is appointed, the Minister of Human Resources Development shall exercice the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Minister of Labour.
The Department of Labour was established pursuant to the Conciliation Act, 1900 (Statute 63-64 Victoria, c. 24, assented to July 18, 1900). The department was under the control of the minister designated by the Governor in Council to administer the aforesaid Act. Mulock, Aylesworth and Lemieux, who were successively Postmasters General, were so designated during their terms in that portfolio. The office of Minister of Labour was created by Statute 8-9 Edward VII, c. 22, assented to May 19, 1909.
The office of Minister of Manpower and Immigration was abolished and the office of Minister of Employment and Immigration created by Statute 25-26 Elizabeth II, c. 54, assented to August 5, 1977. The section of the Act creating the office was proclaimed in force August 15, 1977.
The office of Minister of Human Resources Development was abolished and the offices of Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister of Social Development were created by Statutes 53-54 Elizabeth II c. 34 (2005) and c. 35 (2005), both assented to July 20, 2005 and in force October 5, 2005. By this Act, a Minister of Labour may be appointed. Where no Minister of Labour is appointed, the Minister of Human Resources Development shall exercice the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Minister of Labour. Pursuant to Order in Council P.C. 2006-0037 dated February 6, 2006, the duties and powers of the Minister of Social Development were transferred to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.