The Department of Families (; 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 (), 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:
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 (), 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. +List of MinistersName PartyTook officeLeft officeMinister of Family ServicesHarold GilleshammerProgressive ConservativeSeptember 11, 1990September 10, 1993Bonnie MitchelsonProgressive ConservativeSeptember 10, 1993October 5, 1999Minister of Family Services and HousingTim SaleNew Democratic PartyOctober 5, 1999September 25, 2002Drew CaldwellNew Democratic PartySeptember 25, 2002November 4, 2003Christine MelnickNew Democratic PartyNovember 4, 2003September 21, 2006Gord MackintoshNew Democratic PartySeptember 21, 2006November 3, 2009Minister of Family Services and Consumer AffairsGord MackintoshNew Democratic PartyNovember 3, 2009January 13, 2012Minister of Family ServicesKerri Irvin-RossNew Democratic PartyOctober 18, 2013May 3, 2016Minister of FamiliesScott FieldingProgressive ConservativeMay 3, 2016August 1, 2018Heather StefansonProgressive ConservativeAugust 1, 2018January 5, 2021Rochelle SquiresProgressive ConservativeJanuary 5, 2021October 18, 2023Nahanni FontaineNew Democratic PartyOctober 18, 2023
Related legislation Family Services Acts NoteThe Accessibility for Manitobans ActThe Adoption ActThe Adult Abuse Registry ActThe Child and Family Services ActThe Child and Family Services Authorities ActThe Community Child Care Standards ActThe Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) ActThe Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council ActThe Parents' Maintenance Act [Section 10]The Poverty Reduction Strategy ActThe Social Services Administration ActUnder this Act, responsibility for "The Residential Care Facilities Licensing Regulation," M.R. 484/88 R and the whole Act except as it relates to employment and income supportsThe Social Services Appeal Board ActThe Social Work Profession ActThe Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Act
Housing and Community Development Acts NoteThe Community Renewal ActThe Co-operative Associations Loans and Loans Guarantee ActThe Cooperative Housing Strategy ActThe Cooperative Promotion Trust ActThe Elderly and Infirm Persons’ Housing Actwith respect to elderly persons’ housing units as defined in the ActThe Housing and Renewal Corporation Actexcept Clause 44(k) and The RentAid Regulation (MR. 148/2006)The Income Tax Act, sections 7.13 to 7.16 and 10.6
See also List of Manitoba government departments and agencies
References
External links Government of Manitoba - Families