Article

Department of Natural Resources

Published Online February 7, 2006

Last Edited March 7, 2014

The Department of Natural Resources was established in 1993, replacing Energy, Mines and Resources as a federal agency. Some of the department's components have long histories. The Department of Mines, created in 1907, was reorganized as the Department of Mines and Resources in 1936.

Natural Resources, Department of

The Department of Natural Resources was established in 1993, replacing Energy, Mines and Resources as a federal agency. Some of the department's components have long histories. The Department of Mines, created in 1907, was reorganized as the Department of Mines and Resources in 1936. The Department of Mines and Technical Surveys was formed in 1949. In 1966 the department took on the new and important role of energy development and in 1993 added responsibility for forestry.

The main objective of the department is to enhance the discovery, sustainable development and responsible use of Canada's mineral and energy resources through national policies based on research, data collection and social and economic analyses. The department includes Canadian Forest Services, Geomatics Canada and the Geological Survey of Canada. Both the Atomic Energy Control Board and the National Energy Board report to Parliament through the minister.