Minister of Northern Affairs

Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs
Ministre des Affaires du Nord et de l'Arctique
since May 13, 2025
Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
StyleThe Honourable
Member of
Reports to
AppointerMonarch (represented by the governor general);
on the advice of the prime minister
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
PrecursorMinister of Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Inaugural holderDan Vandal
Formation20 November 2019
SalaryCA$269,800 (2019)
Websitewww.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

The minister of northern and arctic affairs (French: ministre des Affaires du Nord et de l'Arctique) is a minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet.

In 1953, the role of Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources was created as a formal successor to the Minister of Resources and Development, receiving the previous position's roles with an additional focus on territorial and Inuit relations. Similarly, the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources was created in the same legislation to replace the previous Department of Resources and Development.

In 1966, the portfolio's responsibilities were divided between the new posts of Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, which were given the majority of the northern affairs and national resources portfolios, respectively.

In 2019, the northern affairs portfolio of Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) was assigned back to a separate Minister of Northern Affairs. This position lasted until 2024, at which point responsibility for northern affairs was returned to the Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs.