Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver is recovering from a heart bypass.

His office says the 72-year-old minister underwent surgery January 3 to treat a problem discovered during a routine annual checkup.

The MP for the Toronto riding of Eglinton-Lawrence was first elected in 2011 and appointed to the Natural Resources portfolio.

The Montreal-born Oliver was a businessman before entering politics.

He is former CEO of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada.

Chris McCluskey, Oliver's director of communications, says the minister is increasingly resuming his responsibilities as he recovers.