Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Last updated

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Assemblée législative de l'Ontario
43rd Parliament of Ontario
Ontario Legislative Assembly arms.jpg
Coat of arms
Type
Type
History
FoundedJuly 1, 1867 (1867-07-01)
Preceded by Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada (pre-confederation)
Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada (pre-union)
Leadership
Elizabeth Dowdeswell
since September 23, 2014
Ted Arnott, PC
since July 11, 2018
Doug Ford, PC
since June 29, 2018
Marit Stiles, NDP
since February 4, 2023
Paul Calandra, PC
since June 20, 2019
John Vanthof, NDP
since February 3, 2021
Structure
Seats124
Legislative Assembly of Ontario 2022-7-18.svg
Political groups
 His Majesty's Government
  •   Progressive Conservative (81)

His Majesty's Loyal Opposition

Other parties

Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
 June 2, 2022
Next election
 2026
Meeting place
Legislative Assembly - panoramio.jpg
Ontario Legislative Building, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Website
www.ola.org

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario (OLA; French : Assemblée législative de l'Ontario) is the legislative chamber of the Canadian province of Ontario. Its elected members are known as Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs). Bills passed by the Legislative Assembly are given royal assent by the lieutenant governor of Ontario to become law. Together, the Legislative Assembly and Lieutenant Governor make up the unicameral Legislature of Ontario or Parliament of Ontario. [1] [2] [3] The assembly meets at the Ontario Legislative Building at Queen's Park in the provincial capital of Toronto.

Contents

Ontario uses a Westminster-style parliamentary government in which members are elected to the Legislative Assembly through general elections using a "first-past-the-post" system. The premier of Ontario (the province's head of government) holds office by virtue of their ability to command the confidence of the Legislative Assembly, typically sitting as an MPP themselves and lead the largest party or a coalition in the Legislative Assembly. The largest party not forming the government is known as the Official Opposition, its leader being recognized as leader of the Opposition.

The Ontario Legislature is sometimes referred to as the "Ontario Provincial Parliament". Members of the assembly refer to themselves as "Members of the Provincial Parliament" MPPs as opposed to "Members of the Legislative Assembly" (MLAs) as in many other provinces. Ontario is the only province to do so, in accordance with a resolution passed in the Assembly on April 7, 1938. However, the Legislative Assembly Act refers only to "members of the Assembly". The Legislative Assembly is the second largest Canadian provincial deliberative assembly by number of members after the National Assembly of Quebec.

The current assembly was elected on June 2, 2022, as part of the 43rd Parliament of Ontario.

Owing to the location of the Legislative Building on the grounds of Queen's Park, the metonym "Queen's Park" is often used to refer to both the provincial government and the Legislative Assembly. [4]

Lawmaking

In accordance with the traditions of the Westminster system, most laws originate in the provincial cabinet (government bills) and are passed by the legislature after multiple rounds of debate and decision-making. Backbench legislators may introduce private legislation (private-member bills) or amend bills presented to the legislature by cabinet, playing an integral role in scrutinizing bills both at the debate as well as committee stages.

The southern facade of the Ontario Legislative Building, the meeting place for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Ontario Legislative Building, Toronto, South view 20170417 1.jpg
The southern facade of the Ontario Legislative Building, the meeting place for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

In the Ontario legislature, this confrontation provides much of the material for Oral Questions and Members' Statements. Legislative scrutiny of the executive is also at the heart of much of the work carried out by the Legislature's Standing Committees, which are made up of ordinary backbenchers.

A member's day will typically be divided among participating in the business of the House, attending caucus and committee meetings, speaking in various debates, or returning to his or her constituency to address the concerns, problems and grievances of constituents. Depending on personal inclination and political circumstances, some Members concentrate most of their attention on House matters while others focus on constituency problems, taking on something of an ombudsman's role in the process.

Finally, it is the task of the legislature to provide the personnel of the executive. As already noted, under responsible government, ministers of the Crown are expected to be Members of the Assembly. When a political party comes to power it will usually place its more experienced parliamentarians into the key cabinet positions, where their parliamentary experience may be the best preparation for the rough and tumble of political life in government.[ citation needed ]

History

Members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario convene in 1871. Parliament of Ontario 1871.jpg
Members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario convene in 1871.

The Legislative Assembly was established by the British North America Act, 1867 (later re-titled Constitution Act, 1867), which dissolved the Province of Canada into two new provinces, with the portion then called Canada West becoming Ontario.

As such, the 1st Parliament of Ontario was one of the three legislative bodies succeeding the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada's 8th Parliament.

The first election in 1867 produced a tie between Conservatives led by John Sandfield Macdonald and the Liberals led by Archibald McKellar. Macdonald led a coalition government with the support of moderate Liberals. John Stevenson served as the first speaker for the assembly. [5] Its first session ran from September 3, 1867, until February 25, 1871, just prior to the 1871 general election.

The Legislature has been unicameral since its inception, with the Assembly currently having 124 seats (increased from 107 as of the 42nd Ontario general election) representing electoral districts ("ridings") elected through a first-past-the-post electoral system across the province.

In 1938, the title of Member of the Legislative Assembly was officially changed to Member of Provincial Parliament. Previously, multiple terms were unofficially used in the media and in the Legislature. [6]

Ontario uses the same boundaries as those at the federal level for its Legislative Assembly in Southern Ontario, while seats in Northern Ontario correspond to the federal districts that were in place before the 2004 adjustment. Ontario had separate provincial electoral districts prior to 1999.

Timeline of the 43rd Parliament of Ontario

The following notable events occurred during the 2022–present period:

Summary of seat changes

Changes in seats held (2022–present)
SeatDateMemberReasonPrevious PartyParty After
Hamilton Centre August 15, 2022 Andrea Horwath Resigned from the legislature to run in the 2022 Hamilton municipal election.█  New Democratic Vacant
Don Valley North March 10, 2023 Vincent Ke Resigned from caucus after allegations surfaced of involvement with Chinese government election interference.█  PC █  Independent
Hamilton Centre March 16, 2023 Sarah Jama Won by-election.Vacant█  New Democratic
Kanata—Carleton March 27, 2023 Merrilee Fullerton Resigned from the legislature for undisclosed reasons.█  PC Vacant
Algoma—Manitoulin March 31, 2023 Michael Mantha Removed from caucus due to allegations involving workplace misconduct.█  New Democratic █  Independent
Scarborough—Guildwood May 10, 2023 Mitzie Hunter Resigned from the legislature to run in the 2023 Toronto mayoral by-election.█  Liberal Vacant

Media

Regular Legislative Assembly proceedings are broadcast to subscribers of the Ontario Parliament Network in Ontario. A late-night rebroadcast of Question Period is also occasionally aired on TVO, the provincial public broadcaster. [17]

Officers

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario, like the federal House of Commons, also includes procedural officers who administer the business of the legislature and impartially assist the Speaker and MPPs with their duties. These officers collectively make up the Office of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. [18] [19] The Office of the Assembly consists of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker as well as the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Sergeant-at-Arms, executive director of Administrative Services, and executive director of Legislative Library, Research and Information Services. The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario is the chief permanent officer of the Legislative Assembly, with the rank and status of a Deputy Minister, responsible for administering the legislature and advising MPPs on questions of procedure or interpretation of the rules and practices of the House. The Sergeant-at-Arms keeps order during meetings in the legislature, is charged with control of the ceremonial mace in the legislature, and is responsible for security in the House and the Legislative Precinct.

Independent offices protecting certain public interests

Additional officers of the Legislative Assembly were created to protect certain public interests, these officers are appointed by unanimous votes of the legislature and report to the legislature through the Speaker rather than to the provincial government. [19] These officers include the Auditor General, Information and Privacy Commissioner, Integrity Commissioner, Chief Electoral Officer, Ontario Ombudsman, and Poet Laureate of Ontario. [20]

Symbols

Coat of arms

The coat of arms Ontario Legislative Assembly arms.jpg
The coat of arms

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is the first and only legislature in Canada to have a coat of arms separate from the provincial arms. [21] Green and gold are the principal colours, as in the coat of arms of Ontario. A mace is the traditional symbol of the authority of the Speaker. Shown on the left is the current mace, while on the right is the original mace from the time of the first parliament in 1792. The crossed maces are joined by the shield of arms of Ontario. [22]

The coronet on the wreath represents national and provincial loyalties, while its rim is studded with the provincial gemstone, the amethyst. The griffin, an ancient symbol of justice and equity, holds a calumet, which symbolizes the meeting of spirit and discussion that Ontario's First Nations believe accompanies the use of the pipe. [23]

The deer represent the natural riches of the province. The Loyalist coronets at their necks honour the original British settlers in Ontario who brought with them the British parliamentary form of government. The royal crowns (left 1992, right 1792) recognize the parliamentary bicentennial and represent Ontario's heritage as a constitutional monarchy. They were granted as a special honour by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the recommendation of the Governor General. [23]

In the base, the maple leaves are for Canada, the trilliums for Ontario and the roses for York (now Toronto), the provincial capital.

Mace

The first mace used by the Upper Canadian Legislature. First ceremonial mace of Upper Canada, used at the first meetings of Parliament in Newark, starting in 1792 - Ontario Legislative Building, Toronto, Canada - DSC00288.jpg
The first mace used by the Upper Canadian Legislature.

The ceremonial mace of the Legislature is the fourth mace to be used in Upper Canada or Ontario. It acts as a symbol, representing the authority of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to oversee the proceedings of the assembly. [24]

The first mace was used by the Chamber of Upper Canada's first Parliament in 1792 at Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake) and then moved to York (now Toronto). [25] The primitive wooden mace was painted red and gilt, and surmounted by a crown of thin brass strips. It was stolen by American troops as a Prize of War in 1813 at the Battle of York during the War of 1812. The mace was subsequently stored at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It remained in the United States until 1934, when it was returned to Ontario after President Franklin Roosevelt sent an order to Congress to return the mace. [26] It was initially kept at the Royal Ontario Museum for a time, and it is now located in the Main Lobby of the Ontario Legislative Building. [25]

A second mace was introduced in 1813 and used until 1841.

The third mace was not purchased until 1845. In 1849, it was stolen by a riotous mob in Montreal, apparently intent upon destroying it in a public demonstration. However, it was rescued and returned to the Speaker, Sir Allan Macnab, the next day. Later, in 1854, the mace was twice rescued when the Parliament Buildings in Quebec were ravaged by fire. The mace continued to be used by the Union Parliament in Toronto and Quebec until Confederation in 1867, when it was taken to the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa, where it remained in the House of Commons until 1916. When the Parliament Buildings were gutted by fire during that year, the mace could not be saved from Centre Block. All that remained was a tiny ball of silver and gold conglomerate. [25]

The fourth, and current, mace used by the Legislature. Ceremonial mace, made in 1867 - Ontario Legislative Building, Toronto, Canada - DSC00276.jpg
The fourth, and current, mace used by the Legislature.

The current mace used in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario was acquired in 1867, after Confederation. It was provided by Charles E. Zollikofer of Ottawa for $200. The four-foot mace is made of copper and richly gilded, a flattened ball at the butt end. Initially, the head of the mace bore the crown of Queen Victoria and in a cup with her royal cypher, V.R. When she was succeeded by Edward VII in 1901, her crown and cup were removed and a new one bearing Edward's cypher on the cup was installed. Eventually, it was replaced with the current cup, which is adorned in gleaming brass leaves. [25]

Through some careful detective work on the part of Legislative Assembly staff, the original cup with Queen Victoria's cypher was recently[ when? ] found in the Royal Ontario Museum’s collection and returned to the Legislature. It is now on display in the Ontario Legislative Building. [25]

In 2009, two diamonds were installed in the mace. The diamonds were a gift to the people of Ontario from De Beers Canada to mark the opening of the Victor Mine near Attawapiskat in northern Ontario. Three diamonds were selected from the first run of the mine. Two stones, one rough and one polished, were set in platinum in the crown of the mace while the third stone, also polished, was put on exhibit in the lobby of the Legislative Building as part of a display about the history of the mace. [25]

Party standings

Elections to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario occurred on June 2, 2022, as a result of which the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, led by Doug Ford, was re-elected as His Majesty's Government of Ontario.

AffiliationParty
leader		StatusSeats
2022 election Current
Progressive Conservative Doug Ford Government8381
New Democratic Marit Stiles Official Opposition3130
Liberal John Fraser No party status87
Green Mike Schreiner No party status11
Independent N/ANo party status13
Vacant———2
Total124
Government Majority4241

Seating plan

The seating chamber for the Legislative Assembly features individual chairs and desks for its members. Interior Ontario Legislative Assembly Toronto 2010.jpg
The seating chamber for the Legislative Assembly features individual chairs and desks for its members.

The seating chamber is similar in layout to that of the British House of Commons and the original St. Stephen's Chapel in the Palace of Westminster. [27] The Parliament of Ontario, however, may be easily distinguished from this model by its use of individual chairs and tables for members, absent in the British Commons' design.

The legislature's former host building and site, home to the Upper Canada and Union Houses, once boasted of a similar layout.

Last update: April 12, 2023 [28]

Note: Bold text designates the party leader.

Membership changes

Number of members
per party by date		20222023
June 2August 15March 10March 16March 24March 31May 10
Progressive Conservative 838281
New Democratic 31303130
Liberal 87
Green 1
Independent 123
Total members124
Vacant01012

List of members

NamePartyRidingFirst ElectedLeft officeNotes
  Patrice Barnes Progressive Conservative Ajax June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Michael Mantha Indepdendent Algoma—Manitoulin October 6, 2011Incumbent New Democratic until March 31, 2023
Removed from caucus due to allegations involving workplace misconduct.
  Michael Parsa Progressive Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Andrea Khanjin Progressive Conservative Barrie—Innisfil June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Doug Downey Progressive Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Todd Smith Progressive Conservative Bay of Quinte October 6, 2011Incumbent
  Mary-Margaret McMahon Liberal Beaches—East York June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Charmaine Williams Progressive Conservative Brampton Centre June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Hardeep Grewal Progressive Conservative Brampton East June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Graham McGregor Progressive Conservative Brampton North June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Prabmeet Sarkaria Progressive Conservative Brampton South June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Amarjot Sandhu Progressive Conservative Brampton West June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Will Bouma Progressive Conservative Brantford—Brant June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Rick Byers Progressive Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Natalie Pierre Progressive Conservative Burlington June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Brian Riddell Progressive Conservative Cambridge June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Goldie Ghamari Progressive Conservative Carleton June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Trevor Jones Progressive Conservative Chatham-Kent—Leamington June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Marit Stiles New Democratic Davenport June 7, 2018IncumbentLeader of the New Democratic Party and Leader of the Opposition (since February 4, 2023)
  Adil Shamji Liberal Don Valley East June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Vincent Ke Independent Don Valley North June 7, 2018Incumbent Progressive Conservative until March 10, 2023
Resigned from caucus due to allegations involving election interference.
  Stephanie Bowman Liberal Don Valley West June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Sylvia Jones Progressive Conservative Dufferin—Caledon October 10, 2007Incumbent
  Todd McCarthy Progressive Conservative Durham June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Robin Martin Progressive Conservative Eglinton—Lawrence June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Rob Flack Progressive Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Anthony Leardi Progressive Conservative Essex June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Kinga Surma Progressive Conservative Etobicoke Centre June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Christine Hogarth Progressive Conservative Etobicoke—Lakeshore June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Doug Ford Progressive Conservative Etobicoke North June 7, 2018IncumbentLeader of the Progressive Conservative Party and Premier of Ontario.
  Donna Skelly Progressive Conservative Flamborough—Glanbrook June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Stéphane Sarrazin Progressive Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Mike Schreiner Green Guelph June 7, 2018IncumbentLeader of the Green Party.
  Bobbi Ann Brady Independent Haldimand—Norfolk June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Laurie Scott Progressive Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock October 2, 2003Incumbent
  Andrea Horwath New Democratic Hamilton Centre May 13, 2004August 15, 2022Leader of the New Democratic Party and Leader of the Opposition (until June 28, 2022)
Resigned seat to enter the 2022 Hamilton mayoral race.
  Sarah Jama New Democratic Hamilton Centre March 16, 2023IncumbentWon by-election held to replace Andrea Horwath.
  Neil Lumsden Progressive Conservative Hamilton East—Stoney Creek June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Monique Taylor New Democratic Hamilton Mountain October 6, 2011Incumbent
  Sandy Shaw New Democratic Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Ric Bresee Progressive Conservative Hastings—Lennox and Addington June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Tom Rakocevic New Democratic Humber River—Black Creek June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Lisa Thompson Progressive Conservative Huron—Bruce October 6, 2011Incumbent
  Merrilee Fullerton Progressive Conservative Kanata—Carleton June 7, 2018March 24, 2023Resigned her seat for as-yet undisclosed reasons.
  Greg Rickford Progressive Conservative Kenora—Rainy River June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Sol Mamakwa New Democratic Kiiwetinoong June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Stephen Lecce Progressive Conservative King—Vaughan June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Ted Hsu Liberal Kingston and the Islands June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Laura Mae Lindo New Democratic Kitchener Centre June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Mike Harris Jr. Progressive Conservative Kitchener—Conestoga June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Jess Dixon Progressive Conservative Kitchener South—Hespeler June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Monte McNaughton Progressive Conservative Lambton—Kent—Middlesex October 6, 2011Incumbent
  John Jordan Progressive Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Steve Clark Progressive Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes March 4, 2010Incumbent
  Teresa Armstrong New Democratic London—Fanshawe October 6, 2011Incumbent
  Terence Kernaghan New Democratic London North Centre June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Peggy Sattler New Democratic London West August 1, 2013Incumbent
  Paul Calandra Progressive Conservative Markham—Stouffville June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Logan Kanapathi Progressive Conservative Markham—Thornhill June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Billy Pang Progressive Conservative Markham—Unionville June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Parm Gill Progressive Conservative Milton June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Natalia Kusendova-Bashta Progressive Conservative Mississauga Centre June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Kaleed Rasheed Progressive Conservative Mississauga East—Cooksville June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Sheref Sabawy Progressive Conservative Mississauga—Erin Mills June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Rudy Cuzzetto Progressive Conservative Mississauga—Lakeshore June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Deepak Anand Progressive Conservative Mississauga—Malton June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Nina Tangri Progressive Conservative Mississauga—Streetsville June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Guy Bourgouin New Democratic Mushkegowuk—James Bay June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Lisa MacLeod Progressive Conservative Nepean March 30, 2006Incumbent
  Dawn Gallagher Murphy Progressive Conservative Newmarket—Aurora June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Jeff Burch New Democratic Niagara Centre June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Wayne Gates New Democratic Niagara Falls February 13, 2014Incumbent
  Sam Oosterhoff Progressive Conservative Niagara West November 17, 2016Incumbent
  France Gélinas New Democratic Nickel Belt October 10, 2007Incumbent
  Vic Fedeli Progressive Conservative Nipissing October 6, 2011Incumbent
  David Piccini Progressive Conservative Northumberland—Peterborough South June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Stephen Crawford Progressive Conservative Oakville June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Effie Triantafilopoulos Progressive Conservative Oakville North—Burlington June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Stephen Blais Liberal Orléans February 27, 2020Incumbent
  Jennifer French New Democratic Oshawa June 12, 2014Incumbent
  Joel Harden New Democratic Ottawa Centre June 7, 2018Incumbent
  John Fraser Liberal Ottawa South August 1, 2013IncumbentParliamentary leader of the Liberal Party.
  Lucille Collard Liberal Ottawa—Vanier February 27, 2020Incumbent
  Chandra Pasma New Democratic Ottawa West—Nepean June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Ernie Hardeman Progressive Conservative Oxford June 8, 1995Incumbent
  Bhutila Karpoche New Democratic Parkdale—High Park June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Graydon Smith Progressive Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Matthew Rae Progressive Conservative Perth—Wellington June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Dave Smith Progressive Conservative Peterborough—Kawartha June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Peter Bethlenfalvy Progressive Conservative Pickering—Uxbridge June 7, 2018Incumbent
  John Yakabuski Progressive Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke October 2, 2003Incumbent
  Daisy Wai Progressive Conservative Richmond Hill June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Jennie Stevens New Democratic St. Catharines June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Bob Bailey Progressive Conservative Sarnia—Lambton October 10, 2007Incumbent
  Ross Romano Progressive Conservative Sault Ste. Marie June 1, 2017Incumbent
  Aris Babikian Progressive Conservative Scarborough—Agincourt June 7, 2018Incumbent
  David Smith Progressive Conservative Scarborough Centre June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Mitzie Hunter Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood August 1, 2013May 10, 2023Resigned seat to enter the 2023 Toronto mayoral by-election.
  Raymond Cho Progressive Conservative Scarborough North September 1, 2016Incumbent
  Vijay Thanigasalam Progressive Conservative Scarborough—Rouge Park June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Doly Begum New Democratic Scarborough Southwest June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Brian Saunderson Progressive Conservative Simcoe—Grey June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Jill Dunlop Progressive Conservative Simcoe North June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Chris Glover New Democratic Spadina—Fort York June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Nolan Quinn Progressive Conservative Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Jamie West New Democratic Sudbury June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Laura Smith Progressive Conservative Thornhill June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Kevin Holland Progressive Conservative Thunder Bay—Atikokan June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Lise Vaugeois New Democratic Thunder Bay—Superior North June 2, 2022Incumbent
  John Vanthof New Democratic Timiskaming—Cochrane October 6, 2011Incumbent
  George Pirie Progressive Conservative Timmins June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Kristyn Wong-Tam New Democratic Toronto Centre June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Peter Tabuns New Democratic Toronto—Danforth March 30, 2006IncumbentInterim Leader of the New Democratic Party and Leader of the Opposition (until February 4, 2023)
  Jill Andrew New Democratic Toronto—St. Paul's June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Jessica Bell New Democratic University—Rosedale June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Michael Tibollo Progressive Conservative Vaughan—Woodbridge June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Catherine Fife New Democratic Waterloo September 6, 2012Incumbent
  Ted Arnott Progressive Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills September 6, 1990IncumbentLongest serving member
  Lorne Coe Progressive Conservative Whitby February 11, 2016Incumbent
  Stan Cho Progressive Conservative Willowdale June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Andrew Dowie Progressive Conservative Windsor—Tecumseh June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Lisa Gretzky New Democratic Windsor West June 12, 2014Incumbent
  Michael Kerzner Progressive Conservative York Centre June 2, 2022Incumbent
  Caroline Mulroney Progressive Conservative York—Simcoe June 7, 2018Incumbent
  Michael Ford Progressive Conservative York South—Weston June 2, 2022Incumbent

Officeholders

Speaker

Leaders

Floor leaders

Whips

Front benches

Committees

There are two forms that committees can take. The first, standing committees, are struck for the duration of the Parliament pursuant to Standing Orders. The second, select committees, are struck usually by a Motion or an Order of the House to consider a specific bill or issue which would otherwise monopolize the time of the standing committees.

Standing committees

A committee which exists for the duration of a parliamentary session. This committee examines and reports on the general conduct of activities by government departments and agencies and reports on matters referred to it by the house, including proposed legislation. [29]

Standing Committees in the current Parliament

Select committees

Select committees are set up specifically to study certain bills or issues and according to the Standing Orders, consists of not more than 11 members from all parties with representation reflecting the current standing in the house. In some cases, the committee must examine material by a specific date and then report its conclusion to the legislature. After its final report, the committee is dissolved. [29]

Select Committees in the 39th Parliament

  • The Select Committee on Elections completed its work on June 30, 2009.
  • The Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions completed its work on August 26, 2010.
  • The Select Committee on the proposed transaction of the TMX Group and the London Stock Exchange Group completed its work on April 19, 2011.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">42nd Parliament of Ontario</span>

The 42nd Legislative Assembly of Ontario was a legislature of the province of Ontario, Canada. The membership was set by the 2018 Ontario general election and sat for two sessions until it was dissolved on May 3, 2022 in advance of the 2022 Ontario general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nina Tangri</span> Canadian politician

Nina Tangri is a Canadian politician who is currently Ontario's Associate Minister of Housing. She previously served as the Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction from June 2021 until June 2022. She was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2018 provincial election. She represents the riding of Mississauga—Streetsville as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.

The 44th Ontario general election is tentatively scheduled to be held on June 4, 2026. As of December 2016, Ontario elections are held on the first Thursday in June in the fourth calendar year following the previous general election, unless the Legislative Assembly of Ontario is dissolved earlier by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario due to a motion of no confidence. Such a dissolution is unlikely as the current government has a majority.

References

  1. ↑ Government of Canada, Department of Justice (November 3, 1999). "British North America Act, 1867, para 69". www.justice.gc.ca. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Origins of "MPP"". The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  3. ↑ Constitution Act, 1867 , 30 & 31 Victoria 1867, c. 3 (U.K.), s. 69 ( Constitution Act, 1867 at Department of Justice Canada) .
  4. ↑ "Legacy of a People's Park". Education Portal. Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Speakers of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Archived from the original on August 1, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Origins of "MPP"". The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016.
  7. ↑ "MPPs defy Doug Ford, re-elect Ted Arnott as speaker of the Ontario Legislature". Toronto Star. August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  8. ↑ "'No easy solutions' to health care, economic issues, Ford government says in throne speech". CBC News. August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Andrea Horwath". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  10. ↑ "It's a done deal: Marit Stiles will win the NDP leadership uncontested | TVO.org". www.tvo.org. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  11. ↑ "CityNews". toronto.citynews.ca.
  12. ↑ "Toronto MPP Vincent Ke resigns from PC caucus after media report alleges ties to Beijing | TVO.org". www.thestar.com. March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  13. ↑ Hristova, Bobby (March 16, 2023). "NDP's Sarah Jama elected as next MPP for Hamilton Centre". CBC News. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Ontario PC cabinet minister Merrilee Fullerton resigns". CP24.com. BellMedia. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  15. ↑ The Canadian Press (April 1, 2023). "Michael Mantha removed from Ontario NDP caucus amid workplace investigation". CBC News . Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Mitzie Hunter". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Watch the Legislature in action | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  18. ↑ Legislative Assembly Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. L.10; Ontario, Legislature, Legislative Assembly, Standing Orders (Toronto: Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, 2020), ISSN 1183-9376.
  19. 1 2 McNaught, Andrew (2000). "The Offices and Commissions of the Legislative Assembly". Ontario Legislative Library. Office of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Archived from the original on February 22, 2001. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  20. ↑ S.O. 2019, c. 16.
  21. ↑ "Coat of arms". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Arms of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario". Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada. Official website of the Governor General. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  23. 1 2 "The Coat of Arms". Ontario Legislative Assembly. Archived from the original on June 5, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  24. ↑ "The Mace". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. June 23, 2019.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Mace". speaker.ontla.on.ca. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Franklin D. Roosevelt: Message to Congress Requesting Authority to Return a Mace to Canada". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  27. ↑ "The Commons Chamber in the 16th Century". UK Parliament. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Legislative Assembly of Ontario Seating Plan" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Ontario. August 17, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  29. 1 2 Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Glossary retrieved 10 February 2010
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