Government House Leader (Ontario) Explained

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 Steve Clark (as of June 6, 2024).

Government House Leaders

1983–present
Name Tenure Concurrent
ministry
June 6, 2024 – present Minister Without Portfolio (2024–present)
June 20, 2019 – June 6, 2024 Minister of Muncipial Affairs and Housing (2023-present)Minister of Long-Term Care (2022-2023)

Minister Without Portfolio (2019-2022)

June 29, 2018 – June 20, 2019 Minister of Government and Consumer Services
June 24, 2014 – June 29, 2018 Attorney General
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
October 20, 2011 – June 24, 2014 Minister of Community and Social Services
Minister of Government Services
Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities
February 4, 2009 – October 6, 2011 Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister of Tourism
October 30, 2007 – February 4, 2009 Minister of Economic Development
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
October 11, 2005 – September 10, 2007 Minister of Tourism
Minister Responsible for Seniors
October 23, 2003 – October 11, 2005 Minister of Energy
June 17, 2003 – September 2, 2003 Minister of Energy
Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
April 15, 2002 – June 17, 2003 Minister of the Environment
February 8, 2001 – April 14, 2002 Minister of Education
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
August 16, 1996 – October 10, 1997 Minister of Health
Interim
June 26, 1995 – August 16, 1996 Minister of Finance
Deputy Premier
July 31, 1991 – April 28, 1995 Minister of Municipal Affairs (1991-1993)
Minister of Education (1993-1995)
October 1, 1990 – July 31, 1991 Minister of Northern Development
August 2, 1989 – August 2, 1990 Minister of Government Services
September 29, 1987 – August 2, 1989 Minister of Mines
June 26, 1985 – July 31, 1987 Minister of Revenue
Minister of Economics
Treasurer
Successor Ministries to the Minister of Finance
May 17, 1985 – June 26, 1985 Minister of Education
Minister of Colleges and Universities
Provincial Secretary for Social Development
February 20, 1985 – May 1, 1985 Deputy Premier
Attorney General
December 23, 1983 – February 8, 1985 Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

See also