The Minister for the purposes of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act, more commonly the Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency or Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (), is the member of the Cabinet of Canada who also serves as the chief executive of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The post is traditionally held by an MP from Atlantic Canada, although occasionally the responsibilities have been accorded to a more senior cabinet minister.
Ministers Key:
No.PortraitNameTerm of officePolitical partyMinistry 1Gerald MerrithewSeptember 15, 1988 January 29, 1989Progressive Conservative24 (Mulroney) 2Elmer MacKayJanuary 30, 1989 April 20, 1991Progressive Conservative 3John CrosbieApril 21, 1991 June 24, 1993Progressive Conservative 4Ross ReidJune 25, 1993 November 3, 1993Progressive Conservative25 (Campbell) 5David DingwallJune 30, 1994 January 24, 1996Liberal26 (Chrétien) 6John ManleyJanuary 25, 1996 October 16, 2000LiberalSeveral secretaries of state were appointed to assist Manley in this role: Lawrence MacAulay (January 25, 1996 - June 10, 1997) Fred Mifflin (June 11, 1997 - August 2, 1999) George Baker (August 3, 1999 - October 15, 2000) 7Brian TobinOctober 17, 2000 January 14, 2002LiberalSeveral ministers of state were appointed to assist Tobin in this role: Bernie Boudreau (October 17, 2000 - January 8, 2001) Robert Thibault (January 9, 2001 - January 14, 2002) 8Allan RockJanuary 15, 2002 December 11, 2003Liberal Gerry Byrne was appointed a minister of state to assist Rock in this role throughout his tenure 9Joe McGuireDecember 12, 2003 February 5, 2006Liberal27 (Martin) 10Peter MacKayFebruary 6, 2006 January 19, 2010Conservative28 (Harper) Keith Ashfield was appointed a minister of state to assist MacKay in this role in this role from October 30, 2008, to January 19, 2010 11Keith AshfieldJanuary 19, 2010 February 22, 2013Conservative Bernard Valcourt was appointed a minister of state to assist MacKay in this role in this role from May 18, 2011, to February 22, 2013. 12Gail SheaFebruary 22, 2013 July 15, 2013Conservative 13Bernard ValcourtJuly 15, 2013 November 4, 2015Conservative Rob Moore was appointed a minister of state to assist Valcourt in this role in this role from July 15, 2013, to November 4, 2015.Position discontinued; responsibilities given to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (2015 to 2019) and Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (2019 to 2021) 14Ginette Petitpas TaylorOctober 26, 2021 July 26, 2023Liberal29 (Trudeau) 15Gudie HutchingsJuly 26, 2023March 14, 2025LiberalPosition discontinued; responsibilities given to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry 16Sean FraserMay 13, 2025IncumbentLiberal30 (Carney)
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