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Peterson ministry

20th ministry of Ontario
Premier David Peterson
Date formedJune 26, 1985 (1985-06-26)
Date dissolvedOctober 1, 1990 (1990-10-01)
People and organisations
Monarch
Lieutenant Governor
PremierDavid Peterson
Deputy Premier
Member partyLiberal
Status in legislature
Opposition partyPC Party (1985-1987),
NDP (1987-1990)
Opposition leader
History
Elections1985, 1987
Legislature term
Incoming formation1985 Ontario general election
Outgoing formation1990 Ontario general election
PredecessorMiller ministry
SuccessorRae ministry

The Peterson Ministry is the name given to the Executive Council of Ontario under the leadership of David Peterson, the 20th premier and president of the executive council.

The Executive Council (commonly known as the cabinet) was made up of members of the Ontario Liberal Party which held first a minority and then a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The cabinet was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario on the advice of the premier. Members of the council are styled "the Honourable" only for the duration of their membership, not for life.

History

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The Peterson Ministry is formed

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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. None of the newly appointed cabinet ministers had any experience; this might be the first time such a situation occurred since Mitch Hepburn's days but I shall have to get back to you about this.

High-profile portfolios went to Robert Nixon (as Treasurer and Minister of Economics, as well as Minister of Revenue; he is also named House Leader), Ian Scott (as Attorney General), Sean Conway (as Minister of Education), Murray Elston (as Minister of Health), and Elinor Caplan (as Chair of Management Board of Cabinet and Minister of Government Services). The only person who competed with Peterson for leadership of the Liberal Party in 1982 and who was also eligible to serve in the ministry was John Sweeney (duly appointed as Minister of Community and Social Services).

There were only two women in Premier Peterson's initial cabinet (Elinor Caplan and Lily Oddie Munro); the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues was a man (Ian Scott). Also, there was only one person of colour (Alvin Curling). Elinor Caplan, however, 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:

Five cabinet members were appointed to multiple portfolios: Premier Peterson himself (as Premier and Minister of intergovernmental Affairs), Vincent Kerrio (as Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Energy), and Greg Sorbara (as Minister of Skills Development and Minister of Colleges and Universities), as well as the aforementioned Robert Nixon and Elinor Caplan. There were two ministers without portfolio (Tony Ruprecht and Ron Van Horne).

Within a year, two cabinet members would step down over controversies (Elinor Caplan and René Fontaine). Also 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. Since the Peterson ministry continued to carry two ministers without portfolio, this meant two cabinet members helmed three portfolios (Premier Peterson himself, as well as Robert Nixon) while four others (Sean Conway, Vincent Kerrio, Monte Kwinter, and Greg Sorbara) helmed two.

1987 Post-election Shuffle

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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, most notably Ken Keyes, who left his embattled position as Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services.

Ten newly appointed cabinet ministers joined the ministry, mostly notably future contenders for the leadership of the Liberal Party in 1992 David Ramsay (appointed Minister of Correctional Services) and the winner of that contest, Lyn McLeod (appointed Minister of Colleges and Universities); also important among the newcomers was Chris Ward (as Minister of Education).

Almost every established cabinet minister was involved in the shuffle. The most notable moves include Murray Elston (assigned to Chair of Management Board of Cabinet) and Robert Nixon (appointed to heretofore vacant position of Deputy Premier). Sean Conway and Ian Scott would also see their roles change (see below).

There were several instances of ministerial portfolio reorganisation:

Thus the number of portfolios increased to 30, as did the number of cabinet members. With two ministers without portfolio (newly appointed cabinet ministers Mavis Wilson and Remo Mancini), this meant only two cabinet members helmed two portfolios: Premier Peterson himself, and Robert Nixon.

The number of women in the ministry swelled to six, including Elinor Caplan who returned to the ministry to as Minister of Health. Alas, the position of Minister Responsible for Women's Issues was assigned again to a man, as Greg Sorbara took the responsibility from Ian Scott.

1989 Midterm Shuffle

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The Peterson ministry shrank significantly, as nine cabinet members were dismissed, most notably Alvin Curling, Ed Fulton, and Vincent Kerrio. Only six newly appointed cabinet ministers filled the vacancies, most notably future contender for the leadership of the Liberal Party in 1992, Charles Beer (appointed Minister of Community and Social Services), and Steve Offer (appointed Solicitor General).

Among established cabinet ministers, Sean Conway made the biggest move, taking the helm at three portfolios (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Skills Development, and Ministry of Colleges and Universities), even as he surrendered the position of House Leader to Chris Ward. Meanwhile, Lyn McLeod took over both Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Natural Resources, and Murray Elston continued as Chair of Management Board of Cabinet as well as Minister of Financial Institutions (the latter position he actually had already taken over August 16, 1988).

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, as the responsibility was assigned to established cabinet minister Mavis Wilson.

Over the course of 1990, Christine Hart and René Fontaine would resign from the ministry; their positions would not be filled by newly appointed cabinet ministers.

Thus, as the election of 1990 approached, the Peterson ministry contained 25 cabinet members in 29 portfolios. There were three ministers without portfolio; Sean Conway helmed three (see above), and Premier Peterson, Lyn McLeod, Hugh O'Neil and Murray Elston each helmed two, and one is fully vacant.

Election of 1990

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Of the 24 cabinet members who contested the 1990 election (John Sweeney opted not to run again) 16 won, including most of the high-profile cabinet ministers (such as Sean Conway, Murray Elston, Elinor Caplan, Ian Scott, Lyn McLeod, Jim Bradley, and Robert Nixon); in fact, of the eight that lost, the only notable person was Premier Peterson himself, who lost his London Centre riding to NDP challenger Marion Boyd by nearly 25 points.

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

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There were 38 people who served in the Peterson ministry.

Eight were women.

At no point was the ministry all-white, as before Alvin Curling (of Jamaican heritage and birth) left, Bob Wong (of Chinese heritage) joined.

List of ministers

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

Notes

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  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.

References

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  1. ^ "Elinor Caplan". jwa.org. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  2. ^ https://www.ola.org/en/members/all/david-robertson-peterson}
  3. ^ "Robert Fletcher Nixon | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. January 18, 1962.
  4. ^ "Sean Conway | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 18, 1975.
  5. ^ "Christopher Campbell Ward | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  6. ^ "Elinor Caplan | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  7. ^ "Murray John Elston | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. March 19, 1981.
  8. ^ "John Keith Riddell | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. March 15, 1973.
  9. ^ "David Ramsay | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  10. ^ "Ian G. Scott | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  11. ^ "Lily Oddie Munro | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  12. ^ "Gerry Phillips | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 10, 1987.
  13. ^ "Robert Charles Wong | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 10, 1987.
  14. ^ "Greg Sorbara | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. June 28, 2001.
  15. ^ "Lyn McLeod | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 10, 1987.
  16. ^ "John Roland Sweeney | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 18, 1975.
  17. ^ a b "John Charles McWaters Beer | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 10, 1987.
  18. ^ "Monte Kwinter | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  19. ^ "William Munro Wrye | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. March 19, 1981.
  20. ^ "Richard Patten | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. June 8, 1995.
  21. ^ "Christine Hart | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. April 17, 1986.
  22. ^ "Hugh Patrick O'Neil | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 18, 1975.
  23. ^ "Vincent George Kerrio | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 18, 1975.
  24. ^ "James J. Bradley | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. June 9, 1977.
  25. ^ "Bernard C. Grandmaître | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. December 13, 1984.
  26. ^ "John F. Eakins | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 18, 1975.
  27. ^ "Alvin Curling | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  28. ^ "Chaviva Milada Hošek | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 10, 1987.
  29. ^ "Jacques Noé René Fontaine | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  30. ^ "Mavis Wilson | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 10, 1987.
  31. ^ "Ken Black | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 10, 1987.
  32. ^ "Remo J. Mancini | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 18, 1975.
  33. ^ "Edward A. Fulton | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  34. ^ "Tony Ruprecht | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. March 19, 1981.
  35. ^ "Ronald George Van Horne | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. June 9, 1977.
  36. ^ "Shirley Jean Collins | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. September 10, 1987.
  37. ^ "Gilles E. Morin | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  38. ^ "Kenneth A. Keyes | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  39. ^ "Elizabeth "Joan" Smith | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
  40. ^ "Steven Offer | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". www.ola.org. May 2, 1985.
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