Minister of Customs


The office of Minister of Customs was a position in the Cabinet of the Government of Canada responsible for the administration of customs revenue collection. This position was originally created by Statute 31 Vict., c. 43, and assented to on 22 May 1868.
From 3 December 1892, the Minister's position was cancelled 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 became a part of the Privy Council. 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.
The offices of Minister of Customs and Minister of Inland Revenue were replaced by a combined Minister of Customs and Inland Revenue, as mandated by Order in Council dated 18 May 1918.

Ministers and Controllers of Customs

MinisterFromToMinistryComments
Samuel Leonard Tilley1 July 186721 February 18731st
Charles Tupper22 February 18735 November 18731st
Isaac Burpee7 November 18738 October 18782nd
Mackenzie Bowell19 October 187824 January 18923rd, 4th
Joseph-Adolphe Chapleau25 January 189224 November 18924th
Nathaniel Clarke Wallace5 December 189213 December 18955th, 6th
John Fisher Wood14 December 18955 January 18966thWood was interim Controller until his appointment was official on 17 December 1895. On 24 December 1895, the position was again made a formal part of Cabinet.
Frank Smith6 January 189614 January 18966thSmith was a Senator who served as acting Controller.
John Fisher Wood15 January 18968 July 18966th, 7th
William Paterson30 June 18976 October 19118thPosition's name reverted from Controller to Minister.
John Dowsley Reid10 October 191112 October 19179th
Arthur Lewis Sifton12 October 191717 May 191810thSifton also held the Inland Revenue post. On 18 May 1918, the ministries were combined and Sifton continued as Minister of Customs and Inland Revenue.