The Secretary of State (Training and Youth), for instance, would assist the Minister for Human Resources and Development.
This usage is opposite to that in the United Kingdom, where junior ministers generally report to more senior secretaries of state.
Several Secretaries of State assisted the Minister of Canadian Heritage (and antecedents) with the various portfolios of the Department of Canadian Heritage (formerly Department of Communications), including multiculturalism, which at one point fell under the Minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship.
Under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the office of Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) was introduced.
On 2008 October 30, a ministerial position was established by Harper as the Minister of State (Science & Technology).