Minister for the purposes of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act

The Minister for the purposes of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act, more commonly the Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency or Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (French: Ministre de l'Agence de promotion économique du Canada atlantique), is the member of the Cabinet of Canada who also serves as the chief executive of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The post is traditionally held by an MP from Atlantic Canada, although occasionally the responsibilities have been accorded to a more senior cabinet minister.

Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Incumbent Sean Fraser since May 13, 2025
Government of Canada
Style	The Honourable
Member of	Cabinet Privy Council
Appointer	Monarch (represented by the governor general) on the advice of the prime minister
Term length	At His Majesty's pleasure
Inaugural holder	Gerald Merrithew
Formation	September 15, 1988

Ministers

Key:

  Liberal Party of Canada

  Progressive Conservative

  Conservative Party of Canada

No.	Portrait	Name	Term of office		Political party	Ministry
1		Gerald Merrithew	September 15, 1988	January 29, 1989	Progressive Conservative	24 (Mulroney)
2		Elmer MacKay	January 30, 1989	April 20, 1991	Progressive Conservative
3		John Crosbie	April 21, 1991	June 24, 1993	Progressive Conservative
4		Ross Reid	June 25, 1993	November 3, 1993	Progressive Conservative	25 (Campbell)
5		David Dingwall	June 30, 1994	January 24, 1996	Liberal	26 (Chrétien)
6		John Manley	January 25, 1996	October 16, 2000	Liberal
		Several secretaries of state were appointed to assist Manley in this role: Lawrence MacAulay (January 25, 1996 - June 10, 1997) Fred Mifflin (June 11, 1997 - August 2, 1999) George Baker (August 3, 1999 - October 15, 2000)
7		Brian Tobin	October 17, 2000	January 14, 2002	Liberal
		Several ministers of state were appointed to assist Tobin in this role: Bernie Boudreau (October 17, 2000 - January 8, 2001) Robert Thibault (January 9, 2001 - January 14, 2002)
8		Allan Rock	January 15, 2002	December 11, 2003	Liberal
		Gerry Byrne was appointed a minister of state to assist Rock in this role throughout his tenure
9		Joe McGuire	December 12, 2003	February 5, 2006	Liberal	27 (Martin)
10		Peter MacKay	February 6, 2006	January 19, 2010	Conservative	28 (Harper)
		Keith Ashfield was appointed a minister of state to assist MacKay in this role in this role from October 30, 2008 to January 19, 2010
11		Keith Ashfield	January 19, 2010	February 22, 2013	Conservative
		Bernard Valcourt was appointed a minister of state to assist MacKay in this role in this role from May 18, 2011 to February 22, 2013.
12		Gail Shea	February 22, 2013	July 15, 2013	Conservative
13		Bernard Valcourt	July 15, 2013	November 4, 2015	Conservative
		Rob Moore was appointed a minister of state to assist Valcourt in this role in this role from July 15, 2013 to November 4, 2015.
Position discontinued; responsibilities given to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (2015 to 2019) and Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (2019 to 2021)
14		Ginette Petitpas Taylor	October 26, 2021	July 26, 2023	Liberal	29 (Trudeau)
15		Gudie Hutchings	July 26, 2023	March 14, 2025	Liberal
Position discontinued; responsibilities given to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
16		Sean Fraser	May 13, 2025[1]	Incumbent	Liberal	30 (Carney)