Peterson ministry

Peterson ministry

Ministry of Ontario, Canada
Premier David Peterson in the legislature in 1986
Date formedJune 26, 1985 (1985-06-26)
Date dissolvedOctober 1, 1990 (1990-10-01)
People and organizations
Monarch
Elizabeth II
John Black Aird (1985)
Lincoln Alexander (1985-90)
Premier
David Peterson
Deputy Premier
Robert Nixon (1987-90)
No. of ministers
23 (at start)
30 (max at Sept. 1987)
Total no. of members
39
Member party
  Liberal
Status in legislature
Minority (1985-87)
Majority (1987-90)
Opposition party
  PC Party (1985-87)
  NDP (1987-90)
Opposition leader
  Frank Miller (1985)
  Larry Grossman (1985-87)
  Bob Rae (1987-90)
History
Incoming formation
1985 election
Outgoing formation
1990 election
Elections1985, 1987
Legislature terms33rd, 34th Parliaments
Predecessor  Miller ministry
Successor  Rae ministry

The Peterson ministry was the cabinet (formally the Executive Council of Ontario) of the provincial government of 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.

The formation of this Liberal ministry ended forty-two consecutive years of Conservative rules in Ontario. It replaced the Miller ministry following the 1985 Ontario general election, during which the Peterson-led Liberals won a slightly larger share of popular vote but four fewer seats than the incumbent Progressive Conservative Party. The Liberals secured the support of the third-place New Democratic Party (NDP) with a formal agreement to implement certain NDP policy priorities in exchange for confidence and supply backing for a fixed period of two years, during which the Liberals agreed not to trigger an election. The ministry renewed its governing mandate in the 1987 general election during which it secured a massive sixty-seat majority with 95 seats, the largest number of seats secured by a single party in Ontario history.[a] The ministry was defeated in a shocking upset in the 1990 general election, and was replaced by the NDP Rae Ministry.

Overview

The Peterson ministry entered office on June 26, 1985, eight weeks after the general election and shortly after the predecessor Miller ministry fell to a vote of non-confidence in the Ontario Legislative Assembly. Peterson and his 23-member cabinet took their oath in an outdoor ceremony on the south lawn at Queen’s Park.

Peterson entrusted the three led negotiators with the NDP some of the most crucial portfolios, naming Robert Nixon, Sean Conway and Ian Scott respectively as finance minister, education minister, and Attorney General. The three remained the most trusted team members throughout the ministry's tenure. When Peterson seek to convene his most senior advisors for counsel, the presumption was to include the three.[1]

Peterson elevated Elinor Caplan, was the first Jewish woman to serve in ministry in Canada at either the federal or provincial level,[2] and handed her the twin portfolios of government services and management board secretariat.

The ministry included the first and the second visible minority persons to serve in Ontario cabinet. Alvin Curling, one of the 23 original members as housing minister, is the first visible minority person to serve in a provincial cabinet. Bob Wong, who joined the team in 1987 as energy minister, is the first Chinese Canadian to serve in a cabinet.

Over its five-year tenure, the Peterson ministry had 39 different members, including eight women, and the two visible minority members in Ontario ministries. Its membership range from 21 ministers (June 1986 to Sept 1987, when both Elinor Caplan and René Fontaine were out of cabinet) to 30 ministers (at the 1987 post election shuffle).

Portfolio realignments

Mindful of his minority mandate, Peterson did not make drastic changes to portfolio responsibilities upon entering government in 1985. The extent of his initial reorganization was as follows:

  • elimination of the three provincial secretaries positions created by Davis in 1971.
  • dividing of housing and municipal affairs into two separate portfolios.
  • addition of "technology" to the name of the industry portfolio
  • restoration of "mines" to the name of northern affairs; the ministry would further rename to "Ministry of Northern Development and Mines" just a few months later

With 27 portfolios to cover among 23 members, four would have to cover more than one. Thankfully, the four pairing were all closely related: Peterson himself (premier, intergovernmental affairs), Caplan (government services, management board); Greg Sorbara (colleges & universities; skills development); Ken Keyes (Solicitor General; correctional services).

While still in minority, the Peterson ministry created a new Ministry of Financial Institutions in April, 1986.

Changes while in majority

There were several instances of ministerial portfolio reorganisation:

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

Enabling legislation

The predecessor Miller ministry created a skill development portfolio but obviously did not get around to table enabling legislation. The new minister, Greg Sorbara tabled enabling legislation in the two session of the 35th Parliament.

Composition Changes

Peterson largely kept his team in place during the two years the Liberals were dependant on the NDP for confidence and supply. In the three instances where his minister got into trouble, his responses were defensive and cautious. In June 1986, Elinor Caplan, widely consider one of the strongest performers while holding two heavy portfolio, resigned to fight against accusations of a conflict of interest relating to her husband's business dealings. Ten days later, mining minister René Fontaine resigned with messier story, but also about conflict of interest. Rather than appointing new ministers, Peterson asked his trusted allies, each with crucial portfolios, to take on extra duties. Caplan's work was spread to education minister Sean Conway, finance minister Bob Nixon and environment minister Jim Bradley,[3] and Peterson himself took on the northern development and mines brief.[4] He took the same approach when it was no longer tenable for Ken Keyes to be Solicitor General, the brief was given to Attorney General Ian Scott.

1987 Post-election shuffle

The Peterson ministry underwent a significant reorganization following their victory at the 1987 Ontario general election, improving from minority status to a majority, securing 95 out of 130 seats, the largest government caucus in the Ontario legislature. 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.

A visible focus of the shuffle was promoting women into key roles.[5] Having been in the penalty box for a year, both Elinor Caplan and Rene Fontaine both returned to cabinet, with Caplan given a promotion to health. Joan Smith, wife of EllisDon founder Don Smith, was previously kept out of cabinet because her husband many business dealing with the government. The Premier believed the new conflict-of-interest legislation is sufficient to cover that concern and appointed her Solicitor General. There rookie women also entered cabinet – future party leader Lyn McLeod, Chaviva Hošek who chaired Prime Minister Mulroney National Economic Conference and Mavis Wilson, with McLeod given the big budget colleges and universities brief. Three male rookie also went straight in – Richard Patten, Gerry Phillips, Bob Wong. Three non-rookie round out the slate of nine newly promoted – Remo Mancini, David Ramsay and Chris Ward who got the crucial education portfolio. While no cabinet member lost their seats in the election, Peterson sent relieved Ron Van Horne, Tony Ruprecht, Ken Keyes three from their frontbench duties.[5]

1989 midterm shuffle

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

In anticipation of a general economic downturn in North America, Peterson sought to take advantage of polling numbers that were still favouring the Liberals in 1990 and called a snap election, less than three years into the massive majority mandated secured in 1987. At the time the election writ was dropped, the Liberals stood at 50% support in the polls,[6] and Peterson's personal approval popularity was even higher at 54% due to strong public approval of his role during the negotiation of the Meech Lake accord.[7] The move was however seen by many as arrogant and opportunistic, and public sentiment turned against the Peterson ministry quickly. A number of prominent members of the ministry, most notably Greg Sorbara and Jim Bradley, were reportedly strongly opposed to the early election call. Sean Conway, a member of Peterson's inner circle, would later acknowledge that most backbench MPPs also opposed the timing of the campaign.

Despite the Liberals retained closed to a third of the popular vote, the Liberal caucus was decimated with a fifty-nine seats net loss. The defeat was so far-reaching that the Premier was defeated in his own constituency by a 8,000-vote margin. In addition to the Premier, the election claimed seven incumbent members and six former members of the Peterson ministry as casualties.

Incumbent ministers

  • Richard Patten (Ottawa Centre), Minister of Correctional Services
  • Mavis Wilson (Dufferin—Peel), Minister Responsible for Women's Issues
  • Ken Black (Muskoka-Georgian Bay), Minister of Tourism and Recreation and Minister Responsible for Anti-Drug Strategy
  • Bob Wong (Fort York) Minister of Citizenship and Minister Responsible for Race Relations and the Ontario Human Rights Commission
  • Shirley Collins (Wentworth East), minister without portfolio
  • Chris Ward (Wentworth North), Minister of Government Services
  • Bill Wrye (Windsor—Sandwich), Minister of Transportation

Former ministers

Postscript

Having lost his own London seat in 1990, Peterson announced his resignation as party leader on the night of the election. The Peterson ministry was formally dissolved on October 1, 1990 when the successor Rae ministry took office. Having been retired by voters at just age 47, Peterson reembarked on the legal career he touched only briefly in his youth, and become one of Toronto's influential rainmakers and Liberal backroom power broker.[8]

The contest to succeed Peterson feature five former members of the ministry – Murray Elston, Greg Sorbara, Charles Beer, David Ramsay, along with backbencher Steve Mahoney, and elected the first woman party leader Lyn McLeod.[9]

After two more electoral defeats, the Liberals returned to power in 2003 led by Dalton McGuinty, the only Liberal rookie in the disastrous 1990 election. McGuinty ministry featured five members of the Peterson ministry – Jim Bradley, Monte Kwinter, Greg Sorbara, David Ramsay, Gerry Phillips. Sorbara stepped up to be party president in the opposition years, served as finance minister upon the Liberals return to power, and chaired McGuinty's three successful election campaign. Bradley stayed on to served in the Wynne ministry, and held his prized environment portfolio in all three Liberal ministry, and soldier on until 2016, 30 years after he was first raise to cabinet, when he step down from cabinet to make room for younger women.[10]

List of ministers

By seniority

MinisterMinisterial serviceParliamentary Service
StartEndTimespan YearElectoral district Region
David PetersonJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1975London CentreSouthwest
Robert NixonJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1962Brant-Oxford-Norfolk/-HaldimandSouth Central
Jack RiddellJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989






1973Huron—Middlesex; HuronSouthwest
Sean ConwayJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1975Renfrew NorthEast
John EakinsJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989






1975Victoria—HaliburtonCentral
Vincent KerrioJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989






1975Niagara FallsSouth Central
Hugh O'NeilJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1975QuinteCentral
John SweeneyJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1975Kitchener—WilmotSouth Central
Jim BradleyJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1977St. CatharinesSouth Central
Ron Van HorneJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987






1977London NorthSouthwest
Murray ElstonJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1981Huron—Bruce; BruceSouthwest
Tony RuprechtJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987






1981ParkdaleToronto
Bill WryeJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1981Windsor—SandwichSouthwest
Bernard GrandmaîtreJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989






1984Ottawa EastEast
Elinor CaplanJune 26, 1985June 16, 1986






1985OrioleToronto
Sep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990
Alvin CurlingJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989






1985Scarborough NorthToronto
René FontaineJune 26, 1985June 26, 1986






1985Cochrane NorthNorth
Sep 29, 1987August 8, 1990
Ed FultonJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989






1985Scarborough EastToronto
Ken KeyesJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987






1985Kingston and the IslandsEast
Monte KwinterJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1985Wilson HeightsToronto
Lily MunroJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989






1985Hamilton CentreSouth Central
Ian ScottJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1985St. David; St. George—St. DavidToronto
Greg SorbaraJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990







1985York CentreCentral
Joan SmithSep 29, 1987June 6, 1989






1985London SouthSouthwest
Remo ManciniSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990






1975Essex SouthSouthwest
David RamsaySep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990






1985TimiskamingNorth
Chris WardSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990






1985Wentworth NorthSouth Central
Chaviva HošekSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989






1987OakwoodToronto
Lyn McLeodSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990






1987Fort WilliamNorth
Richard PattenSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990






1987Ottawa CentreEast
Gerry PhillipsSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990






1987Scarborough—AgincourtToronto
Mavis WilsonSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990






1987Dufferin—PeelSouth Central
Bob WongSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990






1987Fort YorkToronto
Charles BeerAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990






1987York NorthCentral
Ken BlackAug 2, 1989June 28, 1990






1987Muskoka—Georgian BayNorth
Shirley CollinsAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990






1987Wentworth EastSouth Central
Christine HartAug 2, 1989May 30, 1990






1986York EastToronto
Gilles MorinAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990






1985Carleton EastEast
Steven OfferAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990






1985Mississauga NorthSouth Central

By portfolio

Portfolio Minister Tenure
StartEnd
Central administration
Premier and President of the Council David PetersonJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Deputy Premier of Ontario [b][c] Robert NixonSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990
Treasurer and Minister of EconomicsJune 26, 1985
Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet Elinor CaplanJune 26, 1985June 16, 1986
Robert Nixon a.i.June 16, 1986Sep 29, 1987
Murray ElstonSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Revenue Robert NixonJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Bernard GrandmaîtreSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Remo ManciniAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Judiciary and law enforcement
Attorney General Ian ScottJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990
Solicitor General[d] Ken Keyes[e]June 26, 1985Dec 3, 1986
Ian Scott a.i.Dec 3, 1986Jan 7, 1987
Ken KeyesJan 7, 1987Sep 29, 1987
Joan Smith Sep 29, 1987 June 6, 1989
Ian Scott a.i. June 6, 1989 Aug 2, 1989
Steven Offer Aug 2, 1989 Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Correctional Services Ken Keyes June 26, 1985 Sep 29, 1987
David RamsaySep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Richard PattenAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Education and human services
Minister of Education Sean ConwayJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Chris WardSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Sean ConwayAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Colleges and Universities Greg SorbaraJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Lyn McLeodSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Sean ConwayAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Skills Development Greg Sorbara June 26, 1985 Sep 29, 1987
Alvin Curling Sep 29, 1987 Aug 2, 1989
Sean Conway Aug 2, 1989 Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Labour Bill WryeJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Greg SorbaraSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Gerry PhillipsAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Community and Social Services John SweeneyJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989
Charles BeerAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Health Murray ElstonJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Elinor CaplanSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990
Resources and industries
Minister of Agriculture and Food Jack RiddellJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989
David RamsayAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Energy Vincent KerrioJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Bob WongSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Lyn McLeodAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Natural Resources Vincent KerrioJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989
Lyn McLeodAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Northern Affairs and Mines (to Nov 27, 1985)
Minister of Northern Development and Mines (to Sep 29, 1987)
Minister of Northern Development (after Sep 29, 1987)
René FontaineJune 26, 1985June 26, 1986
David Peterson a.i.June 26, 1986Sep 29, 1987
René FontaineSep 29, 1987Aug 8, 1990
David RamsayAugust 20, 1990Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Mines Sean ConwaySep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Hugh O'NeilAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Culture and Communication[f] Lily Oddie MunroSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Christine HartAug 2, 1989May 30, 1990
Hugh O'NeilJune 5, 1990Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Financial Institutions Monte KwinterApril 1, 1986Sep 29, 1987
Robert NixonSep 29, 1987Aug 16, 1988
Murray ElstonAug 16, 1988Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology Hugh O'NeilJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Monte KwinterSep 29, 1987Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Tourism and Recreation John EakinsJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Hugh O'NeilSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Ken BlackAug 2, 1989June 28, 1990
Public assets and services
Minister of Citizenship and Culture Lily Oddie MunroJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Minister of Citizenship Gerry PhillipsSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Bob WongAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations Monte KwinterJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Bill WryeSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Greg SorbaraAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of the Environment Jim BradleyJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Government Services Elinor CaplanJune 26, 1985June 16, 1986
Sean ConwayJune 16, 1986Sep 29, 1987
Richard PattenSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Chris WardAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Municipal Affairs Bernard GrandmaîtreJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
John EakinsSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
John Sweeney Aug 2, 1989 Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Housing Alvin CurlingJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Chaviva HošekSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
John SweeneyAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister of Transportation & Communication (to Sep 29, 1987)

Minister of Transportation (after Sep 29, 1987)

Ed Fulton June 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989
Bill WryeAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Non-portfolio assignments
= held role while minister without portfolio
Chair of CabinetJim BradleyJune 16, 1986September 29, 1987
Murray ElstonSeptember 29, 1987October 1, 1990
Elinor CaplanJune 26, 1985June 16, 1986
House Leader Robert NixonJune 26, 1985July 31, 1987
Sean Conway Sep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Chris WardAug 2, 1989Aug 2, 1990
Minister Responsible for Native Affairs Ian ScottJune 26, 1985Oct 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs Bernard GrandmaîtreJune 26, 1985Aug 2, 1989
Charles BeerAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for Race Relations
and Ontario Human Rights Commission
Gerry PhillipsSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Bob WongAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Ian ScottJune 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Greg SorbaraSep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Mavis Wilson
Aug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for Anti-Drug StrategyKen BlackAug 2, 1989June 28, 1990
Minister Responsible for Senior Citizens Affairs Ron Van Horne
June 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Mavis Wilson
Sep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Gilles Morin
Aug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for Disabled Persons Tony Ruprecht
June 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Remo Mancini
Sep 29, 1987Aug 2, 1989
Shirley Collins
Aug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism Tony Ruprecht
June 26, 1985Sep 29, 1987
Bob WongAug 2, 1989Oct 1, 1990

Notes

  1. ↑ It was however far from the largest proportion of seats given the enlarged 130-seat legislature. Premiers James Whitney, Howard Ferguson, Mitch Hepburn and Leslie Frost had all lead caucuses that constituted larger proportion of the legislature.
  2. ↑ No Deputy Premier designated before September 1987
  3. ↑ Non-portfolio designation
  4. ↑ The solicitor general portfolio and correctional services portfolio remained separate portfolio, though held concurrently at times.
  5. ↑ Keyes resigned as Solicitor General over a boating infraction, but remained in cabinet and retained correctional services portfolio [11]
  6. ↑ created Sep 29, 1987, from "Citizenship and Culture," with a new mandate in communications.

References

  • Froman, Debra, ed. (1984). Legislators and Legislatures of Ontario: A Reference Guide. Vol. 4. Legislative Assembly of Ontario. p. 39-46.
  • Legislative Assembly of Ontario. "All Members". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. (Members of Peterson ministry are members of 33rd and 34th parliaments)

Citations

  1. ↑ COLLISION, ROBERT (August 29, 1986). "TRUE GRIT". The Globe and Mail. p. 51.
  2. ↑ "Elinor Caplan". jwa.org. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  3. ↑ Walker, William (June 17, 1986). "Caplan quits Liberal cabinet amid accusations of conflict". Toronto Star. pp. A1.
  4. ↑ Kennedy, Mark (June 28, 1986). "Fontaine has no opposition in byelection". Ottawa Citizen. pp. A1.
  5. 1 2 Christie, Alan; Harrington, Denise (September 29, 1987). "Women get key jobs in Peterson's cabinet Joan Smith new solicitor- general:". Toronto Star. pp. A1.
  6. ↑ Mackie, Richard (July 14, 1990). "Buoyant Liberals gather in Toronto for election talks". The Globe and Mail. p. A5.
  7. ↑ "Chretien's rating lowest in Quebec". Toronto Star. July 9, 1990. p. A10.
  8. ↑ Milner, Brian (April 30, 2004). "From backroom to boardroom: We rank ex-pols' business clout". Globe and Mail.
  9. ↑ Egan, Kelly (February 9, 1992). "Ontario Liberals pick McLeod; First woman leader wins by nine votes on fifth ballot". Ottawa Citizen. p. A1.
  10. ↑ Paikin, Steve (June 13, 2016). "Why Jim Bradley's exit from cabinet was all class". TVO Today.
  11. ↑ Maychak, Matt (December 4, 1986). "Keyes resigns top lawman's post in wake of liquor on boat charge". Toronto Star. p. A1.