The title of Minister for Women and Gender Equality was created in 2018, following the passage of the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No.
[3] Responsibility for youth issues was added to the portfolio in 2021, once again associating the office with the Department of Canadian Heritage.
This new position, originally titled the Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women, was initially meant to help implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission.
[3][4] During the 1993–2003 ministry of Jean Chrétien, the position was titled Secretary of State (Status of Women), as it did not carry full cabinet rank.
The first cabinet of Paul Martin also kept this title, as the office's responsibilities were delegated from the Minister of Canadian Heritage.