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The Department of Families (French: Ministère des Familles; also known as Manitoba Families) is the Manitoba Government agency responsible for family-related programs and services in the province of Manitoba.

The department was created on 3 May 2016 by the newly elected government of Brian Pallister, combining the responsibilities of the former Departments of Family Services and of Housing and Community Development into a single unit.

In 2021, Rochelle Squires became the Minister of Families (French: Ministre des Familles), replacing Minister Heather Stefanson. The department also includes the Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Department history

The two-year process of preparing a new Child Welfare Act for Manitoba begun in 1922, partly in response to the Manitoba Social Service Council's call to the provincial government:

that the Government of Manitoba take early steps to establish and adequately support a Child Welfare Department for the province, shaped on modern lines and provided with facilities which will make possible proper classification of the children cared for, efficient supervision of them all, and a comprehensive survey of the needs of the province in this most important of all fields.

— D. B. Harkness (March, 1920), "General Report of the Executive of the Social Service Council of Manitoba," Social Welfare Journal 2

The Government created the new Department of Public Welfare in 1924 and added it to the existing responsibilities of the Minister of Education. Between 1928 and 1961, it was known as the Department of Health and Public Welfare, followed by the Department of Welfare in 1961. In 1990, it was renamed to the Department of Family Services, and in 1999, the Department of Family Services and Housing. In 2009, the name was changed to Family Services and Consumer Affairs. In 2012, the department became Family Services and Labour. In 2013, the department returned to the name Family Services.

In 2016, the department name was changed to the Department of Families.

Minister of Families

The Department of Families in Manitoba is overseen by the Minister of Families (French: Ministre des Familles), which was assigned to Nahanni Fontaine in 2023, replacing former Minister Rochelle Squires.

In 1990, the Minister of Family Services is a cabinet position in the Government of Manitoba. In 1999, the responsibilities of this portfolio were assigned to the new Minister of Family Services and Housing.

The position of the Minister of Family Services and Housing was created in 1999, incorporating the responsibilities of the former Minister of Family Services and Minister of Housing. In 2009, the responsibilities of the portfolio were split into Family Services and Consumer Affairs and Housing and Community Development following the announcement of Premier Greg Selinger's new cabinet in 2009.

The Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs, which was created in 2009, would have its portfolio's functions redistributed in 2012 between the Minister of Family Services and Labour and the Minister of Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs.

In 2013, the Minister of Family Services position was reinstated; however, in 2016, the responsibilities of this portfolio would be assigned to the new Minister of Families.

Related legislation

Family Services

Housing and Community Development

See also

• List of Manitoba government departments and agencies

References

1. ^ "A breakdown of provincial cabinet changes". Winnipeg Free Press. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
2. Lambert, Steve (3 May 2016). "Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, leaner cabinet sworn in". The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail Inc. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
3. ^ "Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Protecting Vulnerable Manitobans and Creating Job Opportunities Focus of New Cabinet and Departments".
4. ^ Hurl, Lorna. "Manitoba History: The Politics of Child Welfare in Manitoba, 1922-1924". Manitoba History, Number 7, Spring 1984. Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
5. ^ "MLA Biographies - Living". The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
6. ^ "MLA Biographies - Living". The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
7. "Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Changes to Manitoba Cabinet Move Province Forward: Selinger". Archived from the original on 2012-10-06. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
8. ^ "Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Changes to Manitoba Cabinet Move Province Forward: Selinger". www.gov.mb.ca. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
9. "A breakdown of provincial cabinet changes". Winnipeg Free Press. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
10. Lambert, Steve (3 May 2016). "Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, leaner cabinet sworn in". The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail Inc. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
11. "Annual Report 2015-2016 Family Services". Families. Government of Manitoba. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
12. "Annual Report 2015-2016 Housing and Community Development" (PDF). Housing and Community Development. Government of Manitoba. Retrieved 18 July 2017.

External links

• Government of Manitoba - Families

• Manitoba government departments and agencies
• Government agencies established in 1924
• 1924 establishments in Manitoba
• Women's ministries of Canada
• Children, young people and families ministries of Canada