When Jean Chrétien came to power in 1993, he did not nominate a full minister for science.
Instead, he created the position of Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development), which was assigned by Order-in-Council to assist the Minister of Industry.
In 2015 under the first Trudeau government, Kirsty Duncan was appointed to the newly created position of Minister of Science.
However, this position remained under the same legal framework as its predecessor, responsible for assisting the senior portfolio of Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (the restyled Minister of Industry).
[6] Following the 2019 federal election, the portfolio became vacant and Bains' portfolio was expanded—he was appointed as the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (previously called, Innovation, Science and Economic Development).