| Cabinet Name: | Wynne ministry |
| Cabinet Type: | ministry |
| Cabinet Number: | 25th |
| Jurisdiction: | Ontario |
| Flag: | Flag of Ontario.svg |
| Flag Border: | true |
| Government Head Title: | Premier |
| Government Head: | Kathleen Wynne |
| Deputy Government Head Title: | Deputy Premier |
| Deputy Government Head: |
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| State Head Title: | Monarch |
| State Head: | |
| Represented By Title: | Lieutenant Governor |
| Represented By: |
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| Political Party: | Liberal |
| Opposition Party: | Progressive Conservative |
| Opposition Leader: |
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| Election: | 2014 |
| Legislature Status: | |
| Incoming Formation: | 2013 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election |
| Outgoing Formation: | 2018 Ontario general election |
| Predecessor: | McGuinty ministry |
| Successor: | Ford ministry |
The Wynne ministry was the combined cabinet (formally the Executive Council of Ontario) that governed Ontario from February 11, 2013, to June 29, 2018. It was chaired by the 25th Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne. The cabinet was made up of members of the Ontario Liberal Party, which commanded at first a minority and later a majority in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
The ministry replaced the McGuinty ministry following the 2013 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election. That election resulted in Wynne becoming the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and hence the Premier of Ontario. The ministry governed through the last eighteen months of the 40th Parliament of Ontario and all of the 41st Parliament of Ontario. The Ontario Liberal Party was defeated in the 2018 election and was reduced to third-party status, and Wynne resigned the Premiership.
Premier Wynne's first cabinet[1] was sworn on February 11, 2013. It numbered 27 cabinet members.
The newly assembled cabinet included many members with extensive ministerial experience. Jim Bradley (appointed Minister of the Environment) was the most experienced cabinet member, with over fourteen years of service, spanning the entire durations of the two previous Liberal ministries of Premiers David Peterson (1985–1990) and Dalton McGuinty (2003–2013); also, John Gerretsen (appointed Attorney General), Madeleine Meilleur (appointed Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services), and Harinder Takhar (appointed Minister of Government Services) were approaching ten years of experience, as they too had already served the entire duration of the McGuinty ministry.
In total, seventeen of the cabinet members appointed by Wynne were holdovers from the McGuinty ministry, including Premier Wynne herself, as well as appointees to high-profile portfolios such as Deb Matthews (who was appointed Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long Term Care), Eric Hoskins (appointed Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment) and Charles Sousa (appointed Minister of Finance), all four of whom had been later additions to the McGuinty ministry.
Of the ten newly appointed cabinet ministers, the highest profile portfolios were helmed by Liz Sandals as Minister of Education and Yasir Naqvi as Minister of Labour.
Wynne included in her cabinet all four of the candidates who had several weeks earlier competed with her for leadership of the Liberal Party that were also eligible to serve in cabinet: the aforementioned Takhar, Sousa, and Hoskins, as well as Glen Murray, who would serve in multiple portfolios as Minister of Transportation as well as Minister of Infrastructure. Wynne would also helm multiple portfolios, including the Premiership as well as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
There were two instances of ministerial portfolio reorganisation:
Thus there were 27 cabinet members serving in 27 portfolios; there were two ministers without portfolio (John Milloy and Mario Sergio), and two cabinet members helming multiple portfolios (Wynne and Murray).
The cabinet included eight women, including the aforementioned Matthews, Meilleur, Sandals, and Wynne herself; holdovers from the McGuinty ministry Laurel Broten and Linda Jeffrey (the latter appointed Chair of Cabinet); and newly appointed cabinet ministers Tracey MacCharles and Teresa Piruzza.
Two members of cabinet, however, were not long for service: first, Harinder Takhar resigned from cabinet (but not from parliament) due to health concerns May 8,[2] yielding his position as Chair of Management Board of Cabinet to Finance Minister Sousa, while his long-held position as Minister of Government Services was assigned to established cabinet member and minister without portfolio John Milloy.
Then, Laurel Broten resigned her position as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (as well as from parliament) June 23,[3] yielding her portfolio to Premier Wynne herself (thus Wynne took on a third portfolio). Wynne's ministry shrank to 25 cabinet members, serving in 27 portfolios, while the number of women shrank to seven. Broten was succeeded as "Minister Responsible for Women's Issues" by Teresa Piruzza.
Her minority governing party caucus also shrank, as on August 1,[4] five by-elections triggered by the retirement from parliament of McGuinty ministry stalwarts Chris Bentley, Margarett Best, Laurel Broten, Dwight Duncan, and McGuinty himself, resulted in three losses against two wins for the Liberal Party. Hopes to flip the minority for a bare majority were thus significantly diminished.
On March 25, Linda Jeffrey resigned from parliament to pursue the office of mayor of Brampton.[5] She was replaced at Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing by newly appointed cabinet minister Bill Mauro, and as Chair of Cabinet by John Gerretsen. Jeffrey was successful in her efforts to be elected mayor of Brampton later that year.
Gerretsen, meanwhile, surrendered his high-profile portfolio as Attorney General to veteran established cabinet minister Madeleine Meilleur in a minor shuffle that also involved established cabinet minister Yasir Naqvi and newly appointed cabinet minister Kevin Flynn. Gerretsen remained in cabinet as minister without portfolio, and so the number of cabinet members rose to 26, though the number of women dropped to six.
The 2014 Ontario general election was called unexpectedly on May 2, after the opposition NDP announced they would not vote in support of an upcoming budget proposal.[6] The election was held on June 12, and resulted in a slim Liberal majority, as they won 58 out of 107 seats.[7] With a renewed mandate, Premier Wynne set out to assemble a new cabinet, which was sworn in June 24.[8]
Three vacancies in cabinet opened up with the election. While Teresa Piruzza, who had been Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, was the only cabinet member to lose a seat in the election, both John Gerretsen and John Milloy had opted for retirement and declined to run for re-election.
Four incoming newly appointed cabinet ministers filled the vacancies and expanded the cabinet. Future Liberal Party leader Steven Del Duca was appointed to the ministry for the first time as Minister of Transportation, and Helena Jaczek was appointed Minister of Community and Social Services, while Dipika Damerla and Mitzie Hunter, were both newly appointed as "associate ministers:"
There were several further instances of re-organisation of ministries:
Thus despite the extensive reorganisation, the number of portfolios in Wynne's ministry remained at 27 (including the Premiership and associate ministries), even though it also grew to 27 cabinet members. Jim Bradley, who was newly appointed Cabinet Chair, and Mario Sergio remained in cabinet as ministers without portfolio. It would now be Reza Moridi, who (as Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Minister of Research and Innovation) would be joining Kathleen Wynne herself (as Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs) in helming multiple portfolios. The number of women in cabinet rose to eight; established cabinet minister Tracy MacCharles was named Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, succeeding the outgoing Piruzza.
Most members of cabinet were involved in this shuffle (or the March 25 shuffle) in some way, including high-profile moves involving the aforementioned Duguid, Hoskins, Matthews, Meilleur, and Naqvi. Only Bob Chiarelli (Minister of Energy), Michael Gravelle (Northern Development and Mines), Mario Sergio (Minister without portfolio Responsible for Seniors), and David Zimmer (Minister of Aboriginal Affairs) remained unchanged in their roles, while the only change impacting Finance Minister Charles Sousa was that the non-cabinet-level position he held as Chair of Management Board of Cabinet was eliminated.
On June 13, Wynne shuffled her cabinet at the approximate midterm of parliament.[10] Three established cabinet ministers serving in minor roles (Jim Bradley, Ted McMeekin, and Mario Sergio) were dismissed from cabinet and returned to the back benches, while high-profile minister Madeleine Meilleur (Attorney General) retired from parliament, creating a fourth vacancy.
Seven newly appointed cabinet ministers joined the Wynne ministry, including Laura Albanese, Chris Ballard, Marie-France Lalonde, Kathryn McGarry, Eleanor McMahon, Indira Naidoo-Harris, and Glenn Thibeault, the latter filling the highest profile portfolio among the rookies, appointed Minister of Energy
Several ministries experienced reorganisation:
Thus while there were 30 cabinet members, the number of portfolios grew only to 29, including the Premiership and one remaining associate ministries. Wynne remained the only cabinet member to helm two roles, as she remained Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. Tracy MacCharles and Dipika Damerla were the only two ministers without portfolios. The number of women increased to twelve; alas, Wynne was not able to meet the expectation of gender parity created by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he achieved parity the previous autumn.[11]
Most established cabinet ministers were involved in this shuffle, including Liz Sandals moving to Presidency of Treasury Board and Mitzie Hunter moving to Ministry of Education. Among those few retaining high-profile portfolios were Steven Del Duca remaining at Ministry of Transportation, Kevin Flynn remaining at Ministry of Labour, Eric Hoskins remaining at Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, and Charles Sousa at Ministry of Finance
Shortly after the shuffle, the office of Associate Minister of Finance (Ontario Retirement Pension Plan) was shuttered, as the ORPP plan was scrapped.[12] Incumbent minister Indira Naidoo-Harris was granted a new role on August 24, as she was appointed to a new associate ministry, Associate Minister of Education (Early Years and Child Care). This was the only remaining associate ministry.
On January 12, Wynne reorganised several ministries, mostly on the basis of changes to ministerial responsibilities:[13]
Thus the number of portfolios swelled to 30.
Also, note that the cabinet had shrunk by one member the previous December, as David Orazietti resigned from parliament; his position as Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services was ultimately filled by established cabinet minister Marie-France Lalonde; her position as Minister of Government and Consumer Services was filled by minister without portfolio Tracy MacCharles. Thus the number of cabinet members had already shrunk to 29 before the reorganisation. Only Wynne held two portfolios, Premier and Intergovernmental Affairs. With this reorganisation, there were no longer any ministers without portfolio.
On July 31, yet another area of ministerial responsibility was elevated to the status of full ministry:[14]
Glen Murray also resigned from parliament, and his spot in the cabinet was filled by newly appointed cabinet minister Peter Milczyn. The number of cabinet members remained unchanged at 29, while the number of portfolios grew to 31, with Wynne and Lalonde holding multiple portfolios.
On January 17, Wynne dismissed high-profile cabinet ministers Brad Duguid, Deb Matthews, and Liz Sandals, as they had announced they would not be running for re-election in the election scheduled for June.[15] They did not resign from parliament but sat on the backbenches. They were replaced at their respective ministries by established cabinet members Steven Del Duca at Ministry of Economic Development and Growth, Mitzie Hunter at Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, and Eleanor McMahon as President of Treasury Board. Their vacancies in Cabinet were filled by newly appointed cabinet ministers Nathalie Des Rosiers, Harinder Malhi, and Daiene Vernile, all of whom took low profile portfolios in a cabinet shuffle that involved nine established cabinet ministers in total.
The number of cabinet members remained steady at 29, but with two women dismissed from cabinet and three women appointed, the number of women increased to thirteen. The three new additions represented the last new faces to join Wynne's ministry. Helena Jaczek took over as Chair of Cabinet from Matthews, while the position of Deputy Premier would remain vacant for the balance of the ministry.
On February 26, the last cabinet change occurred, as Wynne lost a fourth high-profile cabinet minister in the run up to the election[16] with the resignation from cabinet and from parliament of Eric Hoskins. He was replaced as Minister of Health and Long Term Care by established cabinet minister Helena Jaczek. Thus, going into the election, there were 28 cabinet members.
The results of the June 7, 2018 Ontario general election were catastrophic for the governing Liberal Party and for Wynne's cabinet alike.[17] Of the 26 established cabinet ministers who contested their seats (Michael Chan and Tracy MacCharles ended up not contesting the election), only six were returned, including Wynne herself, Michael Coteau, Nathalie Des Rosiers, Michael Gravelle, Mitzie Hunter, and Marie-France Lalonde, as the party itself only managed a total of seven seats in the 42nd Parliament of Ontario.
Of the 27 ministers appointed to Wynne's initial Cabinet, eleven were still serving at the end, including Michael Chan, Bob Chiarelli, Michael Gravelle, Charles Sousa, and Wynne herself, all five of whom also served for part of the previous ministry of Premier Dalton McGuinty.
44 people served in the Wynne ministry. It was the first significantly racially diverse ministry in the history of Ontario, as nine cabinet members were people of colour, including high-profile members Yasir Naqvi (as Attorney General from June 13, 2016, to June 29, 2018), and Michael Chan (as Minister of International Trade from June 24, 2014, to June 29, 2018).
Five ministers held their portfolios for the entire duration of the ministry: Michael Gravelle at Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Jeff Leal at Ministry of Rural Affairs (including the term after it merged with Ministry of Agriculture and Food), Reza Moridi at Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, Charles Sousa at Ministry of Finance, and David Zimmer as Minister of Indigenous Affairs.
Kathleen Wynne was the first female Premier of Ontario. Nineteen women served in the Wynne ministry. Other than Wynne herself, high-profile woman cabinet members include Deb Matthews and Liz Sandals, both of whom filled multiple vital roles including Deputy Premier and Minister of Education). Gender parity was nearly achieved toward the end of the ministry, as the 28 members of the final cabinet included 15 men and 13 women.
Premier Wynne was the first openly gay Premier in Canada. Glen Murray was also a member of the LGBTQ community.
| Minister | Tenure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | End | ||
| Premier of Ontario | Kathleen Wynne[18] | February 11, 2013 | June 29, 2018 |
| Deputy Premier of Ontario | Deb Matthews[19] | February 11, 2013 | January 17, 2018 |
| vacant | January 17, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Chair of Cabinet | Linda Jeffrey[20] | February 11, 2013 | March 25, 2014 |
| John Gerretsen[21] | March 25, 2014 | June 24, 2014 | |
| Jim Bradley[22] | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Deb Matthews | June 13, 2016 | January 17, 2018 | |
| Helena Jaczek[23] | January 17, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |
| House Leader | John Milloy[24] | February 11, 2013 | May 2, 2014 |
| Yasir Naqvi[25] | May 2, 2014 | May 8, 2018 | |
| Deputy House Leader | Jim Bradley (as cabinet member) | February 11, 2013 | June 13, 2016 |
| Jim Bradley (as backbencher) | June 13, 2016 | May 8, 2018 | |
| Minister | Tenure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | End | ||
| Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development | Brad Duguid[26] | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| Reza Moridi[27] | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Deb Matthews | June 13, 2016 | January 17, 2018 | |
| Mitzie Hunter[28] | January 17, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Agriculture and Food | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 | |
| merged with Rural Affairs | June 24, 2014 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs | Jeff Leal[29] | June 24, 2014 | June 29, 2018 |
| Attorney General | John Gerretsen | February 11, 2013 | March 25, 2014 |
| Madeleine Meilleur[30] | March 25, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Yasir Naqvi | June 13, 2016 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Children and Youth Services | Teresa Piruzza[31] | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| Tracy MacCharles[32] | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Michael Coteau[33] | June 13, 2016 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Citizenship and Immigration | Michael Coteau | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| merged with International Trade | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Laura Albanese[34] | June 13, 2016 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade | Michael Chan[35] | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 |
| Minister of Consumer Services | Tracy MacCharles | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| merged with Government Services | June 24, 2014 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services | Madeleine Meilleur | February 11, 2013 | March 25, 2014 |
| Yasir Naqvi | March 25, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| David Orazietti[36] | June 13, 2016 | December 16, 2016 | |
| Kevin Flynn[37] (acting) | December 16, 2016 | January 12, 2017 | |
| Marie-France Lalonde[38] | January 12, 2017 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Community and Social Services | Ted McMeekin[39] | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| Helena Jaczek | June 24, 2014 | February 26, 2018 | |
| Michael Coteau | February 26, 2018 | June 24, 2018 | |
| Minister of Economic Development | Eric Hoskins[40] | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| Brad Duguid | June 24, 2014 | January 17, 2018 | |
| Steven Del Duca[41] | January 17, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Education | Liz Sandals[42] | February 11, 2013 | June 13, 2016 |
| Mitzie Hunter | June 13, 2016 | January 17, 2018 | |
| Indira Naidoo-Harris[43] | January 17, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care | Indira Naidoo-Harris | August 24, 2016 | June 29, 2018 |
| Minister of Energy | Bob Chiarelli[44] | February 11, 2013 | June 13, 2016 |
| Glenn Thibeault[45] | June 13, 2016 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Jim Bradley | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 | |
| Glen Murray[46] | June 24, 2014 | July 31, 2017 | |
| Chris Ballard[47] | July 31, 2017 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Finance | Charles Sousa[48] | February 11, 2013 | June 29, 2018 |
| Associate Minister of Finance (Ontario Retirement Pension Plan) | Mitzie Hunter | June 24, 2014 | July 13, 2016 |
| Indira Naidoo-Harris | July 13, 2016 | August 24, 2016 | |
| Minister of Francophone Affairs | Madeleine Meilleur | February 11, 2013 | June 13, 2016 |
| Marie-France Lalonde | June 13, 2016 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Government Services | Harinder Takhar[49] | February 11, 2013 | May 8, 2013 |
| John Milloy | May 8, 2013 | June 24, 2014 | |
| merged with Consumer Services | June 24, 2014 | June 26, 2018 | |
| Minister of Government and Consumer Services | David Orazietti | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 |
| Marie-France Lalonde | June 13, 2016 | January 12, 2017 | |
| Tracy MacCharles | January 12, 2017 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Health and Long-Term Care | Deb Matthews | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| Eric Hoskins | June 24, 2014 | February 26, 2018 | |
| Helena Jaczek | February 26, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Associate Minister of Health and Long Term Care (LTC and Wellness) | Dipika Damerla[50] | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 |
| Minister of Housing | merged with Municipal Affairs | February 11, 2013 | June 13, 2016 |
| Chris Ballard | June 13, 2016 | July 31, 2017 | |
| Peter Milczyn[51] | July 31, 2017 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation | David Zimmer[52] | February 11, 2013 | June 29, 2018 |
| Minister of Infrastructure | Glen Murray | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| merged with Economic Development | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Bob Chiarelli | June 13, 2016 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs | Laurel Broten[53] | February 11, 2013 | July 2, 2013 |
| Kathleen Wynne | July 2, 2013 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of International Trade | merged with Economic Development | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| merged with Citizenship and Immigration | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Michael Chan | June 13, 2016 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Labour | Yasir Naqvi | February 11, 2013 | March 25, 2014 |
| Kevin Flynn | March 25, 2014 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing | Linda Jeffrey | February 11, 2013 | March 25, 2014 |
| Bill Mauro[54] | March 25, 2014 | June 24, 2014 | |
| Ted McMeekin | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Minister of Municipal Affairs | merged with Housing | February 11, 2013 | June 13, 2016 |
| Bill Mauro | June 13, 2016 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry | David Orazietti | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| Bill Mauro | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Kathryn McGarry[55] | June 13, 2016 | January 17, 2018 | |
| Nathalie Des Rosiers[56] | January 17, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Northern Development and Mines | Michael Gravelle[57] | February 11, 2013 | June 29, 2018 |
| Minister of Research, Innovation and Science | Reza Moridi | February 11, 2013 | June 29, 2018 |
| Minister Responsible for Small Business | Jeff Leal | January 12, 2017 | June 29, 2018 |
| Mario Sergio[58] | February 11, 2013 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Dipika Damerla | June 13, 2016 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Rural Affairs | Jeff Leal | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| merged with Agriculture and Food | June 24, 2014 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of the Status of Women | Laurel Broten | February 11, 2013 | July 2, 2013 |
| Teresa Piruzza | July 2, 2013 | June 24, 2014 | |
| Tracy MacCharles | June 24, 2014 | January 12, 2017 | |
| Indira Naidoo-Harris | January 12, 2017 | January 17, 2018 | |
| Harinder Malhi[59] | January 17, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport | Michael Chan | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| Michael Coteau | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Eleanor McMahon[60] | June 13, 2016 | January 17, 2018 | |
| Daiene Vernile[61] | January 17, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Minister of Transportation | Glen Murray | February 11, 2013 | June 24, 2014 |
| Steven Del Duca | June 24, 2014 | January 17, 2018 | |
| Kathryn McGarry | January 17, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |
| Ministers Without Portfolio | John Milloy | February 11, 2013 | May 8, 2013 |
| Mario Sergio | February 11, 2013 | June 13, 2016 | |
| John Gerretsen | March 25, 2014 | June 24, 2014 | |
| Jim Bradley | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Dipika Damerla | June 13, 2016 | January 12, 2017 | |
| Tracy MacCharles | June 13, 2016 | January 12, 2017 | |
| President of the Treasury Board | Harinder Takhar | February 11, 2013 | May 8, 2013 |
| Charles Sousa | May 8, 2013 | June 24, 2014 | |
| Deb Matthews | June 24, 2014 | June 13, 2016 | |
| Liz Sandals | June 13, 2016 | January 17, 2018 | |
| Eleanor McMahon | January 17, 2018 | June 29, 2018 | |