The Minister of Customs was a position in the Cabinet of the Government of Canada responsible for the administration of customs revenue collection in Canada. This position was originally created by Statute 31 Vict., c. 43, and assented to on 22 May 1868.[1]
From 3 December 1892, the Minister's position was abolished in favour of a Controller of Customs position, which was treated as part of the Ministry, but not part of the formal Cabinet. A similar change was also made to the Minister of Inland Revenue portfolio at that time. The Controller of Customs became part of the Cabinet on 24 December 1895, when John Fisher Wood joined the Privy Council.[1]
The position once again became known as Minister of Customs with the passage of Statute 60-61 Vict., c. 18, which was given royal assent on 29 June 1897. (The same legislation also brought back the title of Minister of Inland Revenue.)
On 18 May 1918, the offices of Minister of Customs and Minister of Inland Revenue were combined into the Minister of Customs and Inland Revenue, as mandated by Order in Council.
| Minister | From | To | Ministry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister of Customs | ||||
| Samuel Leonard Tilley | 1 July 1867 | 21 February 1873 | 1st | |
| Charles Tupper | 22 February 1873 | 5 November 1873 | 1st | |
| Isaac Burpee | 7 November 1873 | 8 October 1878 | 2nd | |
| Mackenzie Bowell | 19 October 1878 | 24 January 1892 | 3rd, 4th | |
| Joseph-Adolphe Chapleau | 25 January 1892 | 24 November 1892 | 4th | |
| Controller of Customs | ||||
| Nathaniel Clarke Wallace | 5 December 1892 | 13 December 1895 | 5th, 6th | |
| John Fisher Wood | 14 December 1895 | 5 January 1896 | 6th | Wood was interim Controller until his appointment was official on 17 December 1895. On December 24, the position was again made a formal part of Cabinet. |
| Frank Smith (acting) | 6 January 1896 | 14 January 1896 | 6th | |
| John Fisher Wood | 15 January 1896 | 8 July 1896 | 6th, 7th | |
| Minister of Customs | ||||
| William Paterson | 30 June 1897 | 6 October 1911 | 8th | |
| John Dowsley Reid | 10 October 1911 | 12 October 1917 | 9th | |
| Arthur Lewis Sifton | 12 October 1917 | 17 May 1918 | 10th | Sifton also held the Inland Revenue post. On 18 May 1918, the ministries were combined and Sifton continued as Minister of Customs and Inland Revenue. |