Marginal note:Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Department of Canadian Heritage Act.

Marginal note:Department established

• 2. (1) There is hereby established a department of the Government of Canada called the Department of Canadian Heritage over which the Minister of Canadian Heritage, appointed by commission under the Great Seal, shall preside.

• Marginal note:Minister

  (2) The Minister holds office during pleasure and has the management and direction of the Department.

Marginal note:Deputy head

3. The Governor in Council may appoint an officer called the Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage to hold office during pleasure and to be the deputy head of the Department.

Marginal note:Minister’s powers, duties and functions

• 4. (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.

• Marginal note:Idem

  (2) The Minister’s jurisdiction referred to in subsection (1) encompasses, but is not limited to, jurisdiction over

  • (a) the promotion of a greater understanding of human rights, fundamental freedoms and related values;

  • (b) multiculturalism;

  • (c) the arts, including cultural aspects of the status of the artist;

  • (d) cultural heritage and industries, including performing arts, visual and audio-visual arts, publishing, sound recording, film, video and literature;

  • (e) national battlefields;

  • (f) the encouragement, promotion and development of sport;

  • (g) 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;

  • (h) state ceremonial and Canadian symbols;

  • (i) broadcasting, except in respect of spectrum management and the technical aspects of broadcasting;

  • (j) the formulation of cultural policy, including the formulation of cultural policy as it relates to foreign investment and copyright;

  • (k) the conservation, exportation and importation of cultural property; and

  • (l) national museums, archives and libraries.

Marginal note:General duties

5. In exercising the powers and performing the duties and functions assigned to the Minister by section 4, the Minister shall initiate, recommend, coordinate, implement and promote national policies, projects and programs with respect to Canadian identity and values, cultural development and heritage.