Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs (Ontario)

Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs

Ministère des autochtones  (French)
Government ministry overview
Formed	2007
Preceding Government ministry	Ontario Secretariat of Aboriginal Affairs
Jurisdiction	Government of Ontario
Headquarters	4th Floor, 160 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Employees	150
Annual budget	$ 71 million (2011-12 fiscal year)[1]
Minister responsible	David Zimmer, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Website	www.ontario.ca/ministry-aboriginal-affairs

The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs is the Government of Ontario ministry responsible for issues relating to First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Ontario. The current Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is David Zimmer who sits in the Executive Council of Ontario or cabinet.

History

In June 2007, the Ontario Secretariat of Aboriginal Affairs was replaced with the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. The mandate of the ministry is to: promote collaboration and coordination across ministries on Aboriginal policy and programs; set priorities for and track the progress of Ontario's Aboriginal agenda; enhance government's awareness of Aboriginal people, issues and best practices for consulting and engaging with Aboriginal people; work with the federal government to find ways to make the most of federal funding; help Aboriginal people to access Ontario government programs, services and information; reform the land claims process to help address historical grievances; and encourage diversity, especially representation of Aboriginal people, in the Ontario Public Service.

The ministry has four key priorities: Stronger Aboriginal Relationships; Improved Social Conditions; Economic Opportunity and Sustainability; and Enhanced Land Claim Settlements and Reconciliation.

Organization

• Minister's Office
• Deputy Minister's Office (Deputy Minister: Deborah Richardson)
• Negotiations and Reconciliation Division (Assistant Deputy Minister: Douglas Carr)
• Aboriginal Relations and Ministry Partnerships Division (Assistant Deputy Minister: Hillary Thatcher)
• Strategic Policy and Planning Division (Assistant Deputy Minister: Dr. Alison Pilla)
• Legal Services Branch (Director: Raj Dhir)
• Communications Branch (Director: Jodi Melynchuk)
• Corporate Management Division (Assistant Deputy Minister: Paula Reid)

2011-2012 Results-based Plan

List of Ministers

Minister Responsible for Native Affairs

• Bud Wildman, October 01, 1990 — February 03, 1993 (while Minister of Natural Resources)
  • Parliamentary Assistant: David Winninger, October 01, 1990 — August 16, 1991
• Howard Hampton, February 03, 1993 — June 26, 1995 (while Minister of Natural Resources)
• Charles Harnick, June 26, 1995 — June 17, 1999 (while Attorney General)
  • Parliamentary Assistant: Dan Newman, July 13, 1995 — April 15, 1997
  • Parliamentary Assistant: John Parker, April 15, 1997 — June 02, 1999
• Jim Flaherty, June 17, 1999 — February 08, 2001 (while Attorney General)
  • Parliamentary Assistant: Gerry Martiniuk, June 23, 1999 — October 17, 2000
• David Young, February 08, 2001 — February 25, 2003 (while Attorney General)
  • Parliamentary Assistant: David Tilson, March 05, 2001 — April 02, 2002
• Norm Sterling, February 25 — October 22, 2003 (while Attorney General)
• Michael Bryant, October 23, 2003 — June 29, 2005 (while Attorney General)
  • Parliamentary Assistant: Michael A. Brown, June 30 — October 11, 2005

Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs

• David Ramsay, June 29, 2005 — June 21, 2007 (while Minister of Natural Resources)
  • Parliamentary Assistant: David Orazietti, November 01, 2005 — September 10, 2007

Minister of Aboriginal Affairs

• David Ramsay, June 21 — October 30, 2007 (concurrently Minister of Natural Resources)
  • Parliamentary Assistant: Jeff Leal, October 30, 2007 — February 17, 2010
• Michael Bryant, October 30, 2007 — September 18, 2008 (concurrently Government House Leader)
• Brad Duguid, September 18, 2008 — January 18, 2010
• Christopher Bentley, January 18, 2010 — October 20, 2011 (concurrently Attorney General), November 5, 2012 – February 11, 2013 (concurrently Minister of Energy)
• Kathleen Wynne, October 20, 2011 — November 05, 2012 (concurrently Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing)
  • Parliamentary Assistant: David Zimmer, November 09, 2011 — February 11, 2013
• David Zimmer, February 11, 2013 — present
  • Parliamentary Assistant: Vic Dhillon, June 24, 2014 — present

Related links

• Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - Canadian federal government branch

External links

• Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
  1. https://www.ontario.ca/government/about-ministry-aboriginal-affairs