The position of Minister of Veterans Affairs was created in 1944. The Department of Veterans Affairs was split from the Department of Pensions and National Health and was given the responsibility of administering benefits and pensions for war veterans. Its first responsibility was assisting in the reintegration of demobilised soldiers into civilian life and assisting them with health care, education, employment, loans and pensions. Today the department is largely responsible for medical care and pensions for aging veterans via the Canadian Pension Commission, War Veterans Appeal Board, and Bureau of Pensions Advocates.

See also List of Canadian Ministers of Veterans Affairs