History
Before 1872, the Department of Agriculture was responsible for public health across Canada. After that, the responsibility was divided among the Department of Marines and Fisheries, Agriculture, and Inland Revenue. The department of Finance and the Commission of Conservation were responsible for addressing tuberculosis, while a National Council of Health operated under the Commission of Conservation for other public health matters. Given the division of responsibility, The Canadian Medical Association and The Canadian Public Health Association to repeatedly urge the government to establish a Department of Health. Over the years, various public organizations, especially women's societies, presented petitions to the Government requesting the creation of the Department. In 1919, the Department of health was finally created with specific responsibilities and powers assigned to its branches. ==Ministers of pensions and national health==