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Peterson ministry

Cabinet of Ontario, 1985–1990 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peterson ministry
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The Peterson ministry was the combined cabinet (formally the Executive Council of Ontario) that governed 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.

Quick Facts Date formed, Date dissolved ...
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The ministry replaced the Miller ministry following the 1985 Ontario general election, which resulted in the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario winning a plurality of seats, but ultimately failing to secure the confidence of the legislature. The Peterson ministry governed through most of the 33rd Parliament of Ontario and all of the 34th Parliament of Ontario.

After the New Democratic Party secured a majority in the 1990 Ontario general election, Peterson resigned, and was succeeded as Premier of Ontario by Bob Rae.

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History

Summarize
Perspective

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.

Elinor Caplan, 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:

Within a year, 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.

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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.

There were several instances of ministerial portfolio reorganisation:

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

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1989 Midterm Shuffle

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.

Thus, as the election of 1990 approached, the Peterson ministry contained 25 cabinet members in 29 portfolios.

Election of 1990

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.

List of ministers

More information Position, Minister ...
More information Portfolio, Minister ...
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Notes

  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.
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References

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