Minister of National Health and Welfare (Canada)
| Minister of Health | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Department of Health | |
| Style | The Honourable |
| Appointer | Governor General of Canada |
| Term length | At Her Majesty's pleasure |
| Inaugural holder | David Dingwall |
| Formation | July 12, 1996 |
| Salary | $255,300 (2017) |
| Website | www.hc-sc.gc.ca |
The Minister of Health (French: Ministre de la Santé) is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for overseeing health-focused government agencies including Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as enforcing the Canada Health Act (the law governing Canada's universal health care system). The current Minister of Health is Jane Philpott, MP for Markham—Stouffville.
The Minister of Health is responsible for maintaining and improving the health of Canadians. This is supported by the Health Portfolio which comprises:
The Health Portfolio consists of approximately 12,000 full-time equivalent employees and an annual budget of over $3.8 billion.
Prior to 1944, the responsibilities of the current Health portfolio were part of the now-defunct post of Minister of Pensions and National Health. From 1944 to 1996, the post was known as the Minister of National Health and Welfare.
Philpott is the first medical doctor to hold the post.
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