Department of Canadian Heritage Act

Marginal note:Minister’s powers, duties and functions

• 4 (1) The powers, duties and functions of the Minister extend to and include all matters over which Parliament has jurisdiction, not by law assigned to any other department, board or agency of the Government of Canada, relating to Canadian identity and values, cultural development, heritage and areas of natural or historical significance to the nation.

• Marginal note:Idem

  (2) The Minister’s jurisdiction referred to in subsection (1) encompasses, but is not limited to, jurisdiction over

  • (a) the promotion of a greater understanding of human rights, fundamental freedoms and related values;

  • (b) multiculturalism;

  • (c) the arts, including cultural aspects of the status of the artist;

  • (d) cultural heritage and industries, including performing arts, visual and audio-visual arts, publishing, sound recording, film, video and literature;

  • (e) national parks, national historic sites, historic canals, national battlefields, national marine conservation areas, heritage railway stations and federal heritage buildings;

  • (f) the encouragement, promotion and development of amateur sport;

  • (g) the advancement of the equality of status and use of English and French and the enhancement and development of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada;

  • (h) state ceremonial and Canadian symbols;

  • (i) broadcasting, except in respect of spectrum management and the technical aspects of broadcasting;

  • (j) the formulation of cultural policy, including the formulation of cultural policy as it relates to foreign investment and copyright;

  • (k) the conservation, exportation and importation of cultural property; and

  • (l) national museums, archives and libraries.