Thomas Crerar was born in Molesworth, Ont. before moving to Manitoba where he started a career as a farmer. He also held other positions within the industry.
Prime Minister Robert Borden appointed Crerar as ag minister in 1917. Crerar held the position until 1919.
In 1917, the Canada Food Board passed an order permitting the use of oleomaragine (a fatty substance extracted from beef fat) as a butter substitute after it was prohibited under the Dairy Industry Act in 1903.
Also, in 1917, the government closed the Winnipeg Grain Exchange and created a single wheat board to market Canadian wheat during the war. After the 1919 harvest, the government dissolved the wheat board.