The minister of Canadian identity and culture (French: ministre de l'identité et de la culture canadiennes) is the minister of the Crown responsible for the Department of Canadian Heritage. The minister is a member of the King's Privy Council for Canada and the Canadian Cabinet.
Marc Miller has served as the current minister of Canadian identity and culture since 2025. The minister is selected by the prime minister and appointed by the Crown. The role was created in 1996 as the minister of Canadian heritage (French: ministre du patrimoine canadien) to lead the government's culture, media, sports, and arts initiatives. In March 2025, the role was renamed as the minister of Canadian culture and identity, Parks Canada and Quebec lieutenant, and the portfolio assumed responsibility for Parks Canada. The simplified title was adopted in May 2025.
The position was created in 1996 as the Minister of Canadian Heritage to combine the posts of minister of multiculturalism and citizenship and minister of communications. The "status of women" was merged from the minister responsible for the status of women in 2006. In 2008, the status of women portfolio was transferred to a minister of state.
On August 16, 2013, the multiculturalism portfolio was assigned to Jason Kenney, who was appointed minister for multiculturalism in addition to his other portfolios.
Those portfolios and responsibilities such as for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, were returned to the heritage minister with the swearing in of the 29th Canadian Ministry in November 2015. The heritage minister also gained responsibility for the National Capital Commission, which was formerly under the senior Ottawa-area cabinet minister under the Harper government; and the Canadian secretary to the Queen, which was previously under the Privy Council Office.
The position was modified slightly on March 14, 2025, at the start of the 30th Canadian Ministry, gaining responsibility for Parks Canada from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and being officially renamed the Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant (French: Ministre de la Culture et de l’Identité canadiennes, Parcs Canada et lieutenant du Québec); while the role of Quebec lieutenant had previously been held by Pablo Rodriguez during his stint as Minister of Canadian Heritage, this was the first time the role of Quebec lieutenant was formally included in the minister's title.
In May 2025, the position was renamed to Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture.
Traditionally, the minister attends the Juno Awards to present the awards for Breakthrough Artist and Breakthrough Group Of The Year.
Prior to 2003, their responsibilities included National Parks and historic sites. The minister is responsible for:
The minister's general powers, duties, and functions are set out by section 4 of the Department of Canadian Heritage Act, which provides as follows:
(1) The powers, duties and functions of the Minister extend to and include all matters over which Parliament has jurisdiction, not by law assigned to any other department, board or agency of the Government of Canada, relating to Canadian identity and values, cultural development and heritage.
(2) The Minister's jurisdiction referred to in subsection (1) encompasses, but is not limited to, jurisdiction over
the promotion of a greater understanding of human rights, fundamental freedoms and related values;
the arts, including cultural aspects of the status of the artist;
cultural heritage and industries, including performing arts, visual and audio-visual arts, publishing, sound recording, film, video and literature;
the encouragement, promotion and development of sport;
the advancement of the equality of status and use of English and French and the enhancement and development of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada;
state ceremonial and Canadian symbols;