Peterson ministry

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Peterson ministry
Flag of Ontario.svg
20th ministry of Ontario
David Peterson (2005).jpg
Premier David Peterson
Date formedJune 26, 1985 (1985-06-26)
Date dissolvedOctober 1, 1990 (1990-10-01)
People and organisations
Monarch
Lieutenant Governor
Premier David Peterson
Deputy Premier
Member party Liberal
Status in legislature
Opposition party PC Party (1985-1987),
NDP (1987-1990)
Opposition leader
History
Elections 1985, 1987
Legislature term
Incoming formation 1985 Ontario general election
Outgoing formation 1990 Ontario general election
Predecessor Miller ministry
Successor Rae ministry

The Peterson ministry was the combined cabinet (formally the Executive Council of Ontario) that governed Ontario from June 26, 1985, to October 1, 1990. It was led by the 20th Premier of Ontario, David Peterson. The ministry was made up of members of the Ontario Liberal Party, which commanded a first a minority and later a majority in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Contents

The ministry replaced the Miller ministry following the 1985 Ontario general election, which resulted in the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario winning a plurality of seats, but ultimately failing to secure the confidence of the legislature. The Peterson ministry governed through most of the 33rd Parliament of Ontario and all of the 34th Parliament of Ontario.

After the New Democratic Party secured a majority in the 1990 Ontario general election, Peterson resigned, and was succeeded as Premier of Ontario by Bob Rae.

History

The Peterson Ministry is formed

Premier Peterson assembled a cabinet of 23 ministers, which was sworn in on June 26, 1985, shortly after the Miller ministry fell to a vote of non-confidence in the Ontario Legislative Assembly.

Elinor Caplan, was the first Jewish woman to serve in ministry in Canada, at either the federal or provincial level [1]

There were 26 portfolios at the beginning of the Peterson ministry (including the Premiership). There were several instances of ministerial portfolio reorganisation as Peterson took over from Miller:

Within a year, Premier Peterson would create a new portfolio:

Thus by mid-1986 the number of cabinet members would thus dwindle to 21, even as the number of portfolios grew to 27.

1987 Post-election Shuffle

The Peterson ministry underwent a significant restructuring following the 1987 Ontario general election, in which the Ontario Liberal Party improved from minority status to a majority, securing 95 out of 130 seats. A significantly larger caucus portended a significantly larger cabinet, and an end to the situation in which so many cabinet members had to helm multiple portfolios.

None of the incumbent cabinet ministers lost their seats in the election, though three were dismissed by Peterson to the backbenches.

There were several instances of ministerial portfolio reorganisation:

Thus the number of portfolios increased to 30, as did the number of cabinet members.

1989 Midterm Shuffle

There was one instance of a ministerial portfolio reorganisation:

The number of women would fall to five, but at last the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues would for the first time actually be a woman.

Thus, as the election of 1990 approached, the Peterson ministry contained 25 cabinet members in 29 portfolios.

Election of 1990

Alas, the Liberal Party lost 59 seats, falling to 36, surrendering the majority to the NDP, and the Peterson ministry was forced to resign.

Summary

There were 38 people who served in the Peterson ministry.

Eight were women.

At no point was the ministry all-white.

List of ministers

Peterson Ministry by Leadership Position [a]
PositionMinisterTenure
StartEnd
Premier of Ontario David Peterson [2] June 26, 1985October 1, 1990
Deputy Premier of Ontario vacantJune 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Robert Nixon [3] September 29, 1987October 1, 1990
House Leader Robert Nixon June 26, 1985July 31, 1987
Sean Conway [4] September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Chris Ward [5] August 2, 1989August 2, 1990
Peterson ministry by portfolio
PortfolioMinisterTenure
StartEnd
Chair of the
Management Board
of Cabinet
Elinor Caplan [6] June 26, 1985June 16, 1986
Robert Nixon (Interim)June 16, 1986September 29, 1987
Murray Elston [7] September 29, 1987October 1, 1990
Minister of
Agriculture and Food
Jack Riddell [8] June 26, 1985August 2, 1989
David Ramsay [9] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Attorney General Ian Scott [10] June 26, 1985October 1, 1990
Minister of Citizenship [b] Lily Oddie Munro [11] June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Gerry Phillips [12] September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Bob Wong [13] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of Colleges
and Universities
Greg Sorbara [14] June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Lyn McLeod [15] September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Sean Conway August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of
Community
and Social Services
John Sweeney [16] June 26, 1985August 2, 1989
Charles Beer [17] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of Consumer
and Commercial Relations
Monte Kwinter [18] June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Bill Wrye [19] September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Greg Sorbara August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of
Correctional Services
[c]
David Ramsay September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Richard Patten [20] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of Culture
and Communication
[d]
Lily Oddie Munro September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Christine Hart [21] August 2, 1989May 30, 1990
Hugh O'Neil [22] June 5, 1990October 1, 1990
Minister of Education Sean Conway June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Chris Ward September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Sean Conway August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of Energy Vincent Kerrio [23] June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Bob Wong September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Lyn McLeod August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of
the Environment
Jim Bradley [24] June 26, 1985October 1, 1990
Treasurer and
Minister of Economics
Robert Nixon June 26, 1985October 1, 1990
Minister of Financial Institutions Monte Kwinter April 1, 1986September 29, 1987
Robert Nixon September 29, 1987August 16, 1988
Murray Elston August 16, 1988October 1, 1990
Minister of
Government Services
Elinor Caplan June 26, 1985June 16, 1986
Sean Conway June 16, 1986September 29, 1987
Richard Patten September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Chris Ward August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of Health Murray Elston June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Elinor Caplan September 29, 1987October 1, 1990
Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs
David Peterson June 26, 1985October 1, 1990
Minister of Industry,
Trade
and Technology
Hugh O'Neil June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Monte Kwinter September 29, 1987October 1, 1990
Minister of Labour Bill Wrye June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Greg Sorbara September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Gerry Phillips August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of
Municipal Affairs
Bernard Grandmaître [25] June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
John Eakins [26] September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
merged into
Municipal Affairs
and Housing
August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of Housing Alvin Curling [27] June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Chaviva Hošek [28] September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
merged into
Municipal Affairs
and Housing
August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of
Municipal Affairs
and Housing
[e]
John Sweeney August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of
Natural Resources
Vincent Kerrio June 26, 1985August 2, 1989
Lyn McLeod August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of
Northern Development
and Mines
[f] [g]
René Fontaine [29] June 26, 1985June 26, 1986
David Peterson June 26, 1986September 29, 1987
Minister of
Northern Development
[h]
René Fontaine September 29, 1987August 8, 1990
Minister of Mines [i] Sean Conway September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Hugh O'Neil August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for
Francophone Affairs
Bernard Grandmaître June 26, 1985August 2, 1989
Charles Beer [17] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for
Native Affairs
Ian Scott June 26, 1985October 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for
Race Relations and
Ontario Human Rights
Commission
Gerry Phillips September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Bob Wong August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for
Women's Issues
Ian Scott June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Greg Sorbara September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Mavis Wilson [30] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for
Anti-Drug Strategy
Ken Black [31] August 2, 1989June 28, 1990
Minister of Revenue Robert Nixon June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Bernard Grandmaître September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Remo Mancini [32] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Ministry of
Skills Development
Greg Sorbara June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Alvin Curling September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Sean Conway August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of Tourism
and Recreation
[j]
John Eakins June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Hugh O'Neil September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Ken Black August 2, 1989June 28, 1990
Minister of
Transportation
[k]
Ed Fulton [33] June 26, 1985August 2, 1989
Bill Wrye August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Ministers
Without Portfolio
Tony Ruprecht [34] June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Ron Van Horne [35] June 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Remo Mancini September 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Mavis Wilson September 29, 1987October 1, 1990
Shirley Collins [36] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Gilles Morin [37] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Solicitor General
and Minister of
Correctional Services
[l]
Ken Keyes [38] June 26, 1985December 3, 1986
Ian Scott (interim)December 3, 1986January 7, 1987
Ken Keyes January 7, 1987September 29, 1987
Solicitor General Joan Smith [39] September 29, 1987June 6, 1989
Ian Scott (interim)June 6, 1989August 2, 1989
Steven Offer [40] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990

Notes

  1. Deputy House Leader and Chief Whip are backbench positions in the Peterson ministry.
  2. named "Ministry of Citizenship and Culture" from June 26, 1985 to September 29, 1987.
  3. created September 29, 1987 as position of "Solicitor General and Correctional Services" is divided.
  4. created September 29, 1987, from "Ministry of Citizenship and Culture," with a new mandate in communications.
  5. created August 2, 1989 with merger of "Ministry of Municipal Affairs" and "Ministry of Housing".
  6. named "Ministry of Mines and Northern Affairs" from June 26, 1985 to November 27, 1985
  7. divided into "Ministry of Mines" and "Ministry of Northern Development" September 29, 1987
  8. created September 29, 1987 from division of "Ministry of Northern Affairs and Mines"
  9. created September 29, 1987 from division of "Ministry of Northern Affairs and Mines"
  10. named "Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Recreation" from February 3, 1993 to June 25, 1995.
  11. named "Ministry of Transportation and Communications" from June 26, 1985 to September 29, 1987.
  12. divided into "Solicitor General" and "Ministry of Correctional Services" from September 29, 1987 to October 1, 1990.

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References

  1. "Elinor Caplan". jwa.org. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  2. "David Robertson Peterson | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  3. "Robert Fletcher Nixon | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  4. "Sean Conway | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  5. "Christopher Campbell Ward | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  6. "Elinor Caplan | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  7. "Murray John Elston | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  8. "John Keith Riddell | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  9. "David Ramsay | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  10. "Ian G. Scott | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  11. "Lily Oddie Munro | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  12. "Gerry Phillips | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  13. "Robert Charles Wong | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  14. "Greg Sorbara | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  15. "Lyn McLeod | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  16. "John Roland Sweeney | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  17. 1 2 "John Charles McWaters Beer | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  18. "Monte Kwinter | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  19. "William Munro Wrye | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  20. "Richard Patten | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  21. "Christine Hart | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  22. "Hugh Patrick O'Neil | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  23. "Vincent George Kerrio | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  24. "James J. Bradley | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  25. "Bernard C. Grandmaître | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  26. "John F. Eakins | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  27. "Alvin Curling | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  28. "Chaviva Milada Hošek | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  29. "Jacques Noé René Fontaine | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  30. "Mavis Wilson | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  31. "Ken Black | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  32. "Remo J. Mancini | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  33. "Edward A. Fulton | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  34. "Tony Ruprecht | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  35. "Ronald George Van Horne | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  36. "Shirley Jean Collins | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  37. "Gilles E. Morin | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  38. "Kenneth A. Keyes | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  39. "Elizabeth "Joan" Smith | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.
  40. "Steven Offer | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org.