The minister is responsible for overseeing the federal government's transportation regulatory and development department, Transport Canada, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, Nav Canada, and the Port Authority system.

The Constitution Act, 1867 under section 92(10) established federal responsibility for land and sea transportation between provinces and internationally.

[4] In 1879, the Department of Public Works was divided in two, with powers and duties over rail and inland sea transport going to the newly formed minister of railways and canals.

With the Cabinet shuffle of July 15, 2013, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio was separated from Transport and assigned to the minister of intergovernmental affairs.

The department is now responsible for transportation safety, appointments to Boards of Governors, and regulation management.