Government House Leader (Ontario)

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The Ontario Government House Leader is the provincial cabinet minister responsible for planning and managing the government's legislative program in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The position is not legally entitled to cabinet standing on its own so all Government House Leaders must simultaneously hold another portfolio (or be specifically designated as a minister without portfolio).

House Leaders at the federal level are often granted sinecure assignments to give them cabinet standing while allowing them to focus exclusively on house business. This has not been the case at the provincial level. In recent years, John Baird and Dwight Duncan have served as Government House Leaders while simultaneously holding the high-profile Minister of Energy position.

The current Government House Leader is Paul Calandra (as of June 20, 2019).

Government House Leaders

1983–present
NameTenureConcurrent
ministry
Paul Calandra June 20, 2019 – present Minister of Muncipial Affairs and Housing (2023-present)

Minister of Long-Term Care (2022-2023)

Minister Without Portfolio (2019-2022)

Todd Smith June 29, 2018 – June 20, 2019 Minister of Government and Consumer Services
Yasir Naqvi June 24, 2014 – June 29, 2018Attorney General
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
John Milloy October 20, 2011 – June 24, 2014Minister of Community and Social Services
Minister of Government Services
Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities
Monique Smith February 4, 2009 – October 6, 2011Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister of Tourism
Michael Bryant October 30, 2007 – February 4, 2009Minister of Economic Development
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Jim Bradley October 11, 2005 – September 10, 2007Minister of Tourism
Minister Responsible for Seniors
Dwight Duncan October 23, 2003 – October 11, 2005Minister of Energy
John Baird June 17, 2003 – September 2, 2003Minister of Energy
Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
Chris Stockwell April 15, 2002 – June 17, 2003Minister of the Environment
Janet Ecker February 8, 2001 – April 14, 2002Minister of Education
Norm Sterling 37th Parliament
June 17, 1999 – February 8, 2001
36th Parliament
October 10, 1997 – May 5, 1999
37th Parliament
Minister of Correctional Services
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
36th Parliament
Minister of the Environment
David Johnson August 16, 1996 – October 10, 1997Minister of Health
Interim
Ernie Eves June 26, 1995 – August 16, 1996Minister of Finance
Deputy Premier
Dave Cooke July 31, 1991 – April 28, 1995Minister of Municipal Affairs (1991-1993)
Minister of Education (1993-1995)
Shelley Martel October 1, 1990 – July 31, 1991Minister of Northern Development
Chris Ward August 2, 1989 – August 2, 1990Minister of Government Services
Sean Conway September 29, 1987 – August 2, 1989Minister of Mines
Robert Nixon June 26, 1985 – July 31, 1987Minister of Revenue
Minister of Economics
Treasurer
Successor Ministries to the Minister of Finance
Larry Grossman May 17, 1985 – June 26, 1985Minister of Education
Minister of Colleges and Universities
Provincial Secretary for Social Development
Bob Welch February 20, 1985 – May 1, 1985Deputy Premier
Attorney General
Thomas Wells December 23, 1983 – February 8, 1985Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

See also

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