In addition to NRCan, the minister oversees the federal government's natural resources portfolio, which includes Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, the Canada Energy Regulator, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, as well as the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Boards.

The Energy Supplies Allocation Board and the Northern Pipeline Agency also report to the Minister as required.

Prior to 1966, the responsibility related to Canadian mines and natural resources resided in various ministers: The emerging role of energy development in federal policy would become more prominent in 1966, when that responsibility was adopted by the natural resources portfolio,[9] whereupon the minister of mines and technical surveys was abolished and the minister of energy, mines and resources was established in its place by Statute 14-15 Eliz.

II, c. 25—which received royal assent on 16 June 1966 and proclaimed in-force on October 1 later that year.

During the cabinet shuffle of July 26, 2023, this title was expanded to become the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.