Solicitor General of Canada (1892-12-03 - 2005-04-03)
The office of Solicitor General of Canada was created by Statute 50-51 Victoria, c. 14, assented to June 23, 1887 and proclaimed in force December 3, 1892. By this Act the Solicitor General was designated an officer to assist the Minister of Justice. The office was not a Cabinet portfolio per se, though frequently the incumbent was sworn of the Privy Council and attended Cabinet meetings. A unique procedure followed during the Nineteenth Ministry was the appointment and swearing of both MacNaught and Pennell as Minister without Portfolio at the same time each was appointed and sworn of the Privy Council and as Solicitor General of Canada. This was apparently done in order to leave no doubt that the appointees were considered members of the Cabinet.
- 1950-08-07
Department Change
By Order in Council dated August 7, 1950, pursuant to the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act, the powers, duties and functions of the Solicitor General of Canada were transferred to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and were exercised by him until October 14, 1952.
- 2005-04-04
Department Change
The office of Solicitor General was abolished and the office of Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness was created by Statute 53 Elizabeth II, c. 10 (2005), assented to March 23, 2005 and in force April 4, 2005.
- 1966-10-01
Department Change
Statute 14-15 Elizabeth II, c. 25, assented to June 16, 1966 and proclaimed in force October 1, 1966, repealed the Solicitor General Act (R.S.C. 1952, c. 253) and created the ministerial office of the Solicitor General of Canada.
- 2003-12-12
Department Change
On December 12, 2003, the minister was formally appointed to the existing portfolio (Solicitor General) from which the new portfolio (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness) was being created. The new responsibilities, however, took full effect immediately.
- 1993-06-25
Department Change
During the 25th Ministry, the portfolio of Solicitor General of Canada was to be restructured into a new Public Security portfolio pending the eventual passage of a Government Organization Act. Until passage of the new departmental statute, the Minister had been formally appointed to the existing portfolio from which the new portfolio was being created. The new responsibilities, however, took full effect immediately. Parliament was dissolved before this change could take place.
- Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (2005-04-04 - )
The office of Solicitor General was abolished and the office of Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness was created by Statute 53 Elizabeth II, c. 10 (2005), assented to March 23, 2005 and in force April 4, 2005.