Peterson ministry explained

Cabinet Name:Peterson ministry
Cabinet Type:ministry
Cabinet Number:20th
Jurisdiction:Ontario
Flag:Flag of Ontario.svg
Flag Border:true
Government Head Title:Premier
Government Head:David Peterson
Deputy Government Head Title:Deputy Premier
Deputy Government Head:
State Head Title:Monarch
State Head:
Represented By Title:Lieutenant Governor
Represented By:
Political Party:Liberal
Opposition Party:PC Party (1985-1987),
NDP (1987-1990)
Opposition Leader:
Election:1985, 1987
Legislature Status:
Incoming Formation:1985 Ontario general election
Outgoing Formation:1990 Ontario general election
Predecessor:Miller ministry
Successor:Rae 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

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. 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

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

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

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

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

Position! rowspan="2"
MinisterTenure
StartEnd
Premier of OntarioDavid Peterson[2]
| June 26, 1985| October 1, 1990|-| rowspan="2" |Deputy Premier of Ontario| vacant| June 26, 1985 | September 29, 1987 |-| Robert Nixon[3] | September 29, 1987 | October 1, 1990|-| rowspan="3" |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|-|}
Portfolio! rowspan="2"
MinisterTenure
StartEnd
Chair of the
Management Board
of Cabinet		Elinor Caplan[6] June 26, 1985 June 16, 1986
Robert Nixon (Interim)June 16, 1986September 29, 1987
Murray Elston[7] September 29, 1987 October 1, 1990
Minister of
Agriculture and Food		Jack Riddell[8] June 26, 1985August 2, 1989
David Ramsay[9] August 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Attorney GeneralIan Scott[10] June 26, 1985 October 1, 1990
Lily Oddie Munro [11] June 26, 1985 September 29, 1987
Gerry Phillips[12] September 29, 1987August 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 ConwayAugust 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 SorbaraAugust 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
David RamsaySeptember 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Richard Patten[20] August 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Lily Oddie MunroSeptember 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 EducationSean ConwayJune 26, 1985 September 29, 1987
Chris WardSeptember 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Sean ConwayAugust 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Minister of EnergyVincent Kerrio[23] June 26, 1985 September 29, 1987
Bob WongSeptember 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Lyn McLeodAugust 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Minister of
the Environment		Jim Bradley[24] June 26, 1985 October 1, 1990
Treasurer and
Minister of Economics		Robert NixonJune 26, 1985October 1, 1990
CApril 1, 1986September 29, 1987
Robert NixonSeptember 29, 1987 August 16, 1988
Murray ElstonAugust 16, 1988 October 1, 1990
Minister of
Government Services		Elinor CaplanJune 26, 1985 June 16, 1986
Sean ConwayJune 17, 1986 September 9, 1987
September 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Chris WardAugust 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Minister of HealthMurray ElstonJune 26, 1985 September 29, 1987
Elinor CaplanSeptember 29, 1987 October 1, 1990
Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs		David PetersonJune 26, 1985October 1, 1990
Minister of Industry,
Trade
and Technology		Hugh O'NeilJune 26, 1985 September 29, 1987
Monte KwinterSeptember 29, 1987 October 1, 1990
Minister of LabourBill WryeJune 26, 1985 September 9, 1987
Greg SorbaraSeptember 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Gerry PhillipsAugust 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, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of HousingAlvin 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, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister of
Municipal Affairs
and Housing		John SweeneyAugust 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Minister of
Natural Resources		Vincent KerrioJune 26, 1985 August 2, 1989
Lyn McLeodAugust 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Minister of
Northern Development
and Mines		René Fontaine[29] June 26, 1985June 26, 1986
David PetersonJune 26, 1986September 29, 1987
Minister of
Northern Development		René FontaineSeptember 29, 1987 August 8, 1990
Minister of MinesSean ConwaySeptember 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Hugh O'NeilAugust 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for
Francophone Affairs		Bernard GrandmaîtreJune 26, 1985 August 2, 1989
Charles BeerAugust 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for
Native Affairs		Ian ScottJune 26, 1985October 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for
Race Relations and
Ontario Human Rights
Commission		Gerry PhillipsSeptember 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Bob WongAugust 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for
Women's Issues		Ian ScottJune 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Greg SorbaraSeptember 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Mavis Wilson[30] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Minister Responsible for
Anti-Drug Strategy		Ken Black[31] August 2, 1989 June 28, 1990
Minister of RevenueRobert NixonJune 26, 1985 September 29, 1987
Bernard GrandmaîtreSeptember 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Remo Mancini[32] August 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Ministry of
Skills Development		Greg SorbaraJune 26, 1985 September 29, 1987
Alvin CurlingSeptember 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Sean ConwayAugust 2, 1989 October 1, 1990
Minister of Tourism
and Recreation		John EakinsJune 26, 1985September 29, 1987
Hugh O'NeilSeptember 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Ken BlackAugust 2, 1989 June 28, 1990
Minister of
Transportation		Ed Fulton[33] June 26, 1985August 2, 1989
Bill WryeAugust 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 ManciniSeptember 29, 1987 August 2, 1989
Mavis WilsonSeptember 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		Ken Keyes[38] June 26, 1985December 3, 1986
Ian Scott (interim)December 3, 1986January 7, 1987
Ken KeyesJanuary 7, 1987September 29, 1987
Solicitor GeneralJoan Smith[39] September 29, 1987June 6, 1989
Ian Scott (interim)June 6, 1989August 2, 1989
Steven Offer[40] August 2, 1989October 1, 1990

Notes and References

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

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