In 2003, the first minister responsible for Official Languages was sworn in, on the creation of the "Official Languages Branch of Intergovernmental Affairs" within the
Privy Council Office. In 2006, responsibility was shifted from the Privy Council Office to the
Department of Canadian Heritage, and the branch was renamed the "Official Languages Secretariat". Sections 42 and 43 of the
Official Languages Act give the
minister of Canadian heritage the specific responsibility of taking measures to advance the equality of status and use of English and French in Canadian society; under section 44 of that Act, the minister must submit annual reports to Parliament on the matters relating to official languages for which the minister is responsible. == List of ministers ==