Capitalize specific international, national and provincial government departments, ministries, agencies, boards etc., including short forms of the proper name.

• Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education
• B.C. Highways Ministry
• Canada Post Corp. (on first reference), Canada Post (on subsequent references)
• Newfoundland Liquor Corporation

Capitalize cabinet portfolios only as part of a title directly preceding a name.

• Health Minister Tony Clement; but Tony Clement, federal minister of health

Lower case the cabinet member’s title in subsequent reference and when it stands alone.

• Finance Minister Bernard Hannon addressed the House of Commons yesterday.
• The finance minister spoke again about the budget he released last week.

Capitalize descriptions of the department or ministry that refer to their proper name, even when they stand alone.

• The cuts will affect Justice and Communications.
• Over 25 years, she worked in Archives, Housing and Natural Resources.

Lower case common nouns related to government ministries standing alone and in a group (plural references), and in subsequent references.

• the department, a ministry spokesperson, board members, the authority
• the departments of Justice and Defence