Minister of Militia and Defence

From 1855 to 1906, the minister was responsible for Canadian militia units only, as the British Army was still stationed in Canada. From 1906 to 1923, the minister was in charge of the Department of Militia and Defence (Canada). After 1923, the position was merged with the Minister of the Naval Service and the Minister of Aviation into the new position of Minister of National Defence. The Minister of National Defence became responsible for the Canadian Militia, the Royal Canadian Navy and, from 1924, the Royal Canadian Air Force.

List of ministers

Pre-Confederation (1855–1867)

The following individuals were named the Minister of Militia and Defence for the Province of Canada.

Key:

Historical conservative parties: Parti bleu, Upper Canada Tories

Post-Confederation (1867–1922)

The following individuals were named the Minister of Militia and Defence for Canada.

Key:

Liberal Party of Canada Historical conservative parties: Liberal-Conservative, Conservative (historical), Unionist, National Liberal and Conservative

Ministers with military experience

Several individuals that served as the Minister of Militia and Defence have served with the Canadian Militia. They include:

• Private John Alexander Macdonald, Sedentary Militia during 1837 Rebellion
• Lieutenant Étienne-Paschal Taché, 5th Battalion of Select Embodied Militia, Chasseurs Canadiens Militia
• Lieutenant Colonel David Tisdale, 39th Norfolk Battalion of Infantry
• Assistant Surgeon Frederick William Borden, 68th (Kings) Battalion of Infantry, Non-Permanent Active Militia
• Colonel Sir Sam Hughes, 45th Canadian Volunteer Militia (45th West Durham Battalion of Infantry, later The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment and lastly as 45th Medium Battery, RCA) merged into what is 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA) in 1960; Canadian volunteer to the British Army
• Major Sydney Chilton Mewburn, Commanding Officer of Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, Permanent Active Militia