NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Politics of Ontario

The Province of Ontario is governed by a unicameral legislature, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, which operates in the Westminster system of government. The political party that wins the largest number of seats in the legislature normally forms the government, and the party's leader becomes premier of the province, i.e., the head of the government. Regions Political culture Foreign relations Other countries Politics Portal Canada is a federation which consists of ten provinces that, with three territories, make up the worlds second largest country in total area. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area Ranked 4th... The Provincial Parliament of Ontario, is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario. ... The Houses of Parliament in London The Westminster system is a democratic, parliamentary system of government modeled after that of the United Kingdom system, as used in the Palace of Westminster, the location of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... Image:Mcguinty77. ... The Head of Government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ...

Ontario's primary political parties are the centre-right Ontario Progressive Conservative Party (PC Party), the centrist Ontario Liberal Party and the social democratic Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP). The Ontario Green Party has seen its support grow over the years - to 2.8% of the vote in 2003 - but due to Ontario's plurality voting system has failed to win any seats in the Legislature. The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party (PC Party of Ontario, also known as Tories) is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. ... The Ontario Liberal Party is a center-right provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. ... Social democracy is a political ideology emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from supporters of Marxism who believed that the transition to a socialist society could be achieved through democratic evolutionary rather than revolutionary means. ... The Ontario New Democratic Party (formerly known as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, Ontario Section) is a social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. ... The Green Party of Ontario contests provincial elections in Ontario, Canada. ...

The Big Blue Machine, 1943-1985

Mitch Hepburn's Liberal government was ended not long after he feuded with Prime Minister Mackenzie King over the issue of conscription. Not to be confused with William Lyon Mackenzie, Mackenzie Kings grandfather. ...

The Progressive Conservative Party dominated Ontario's political system from 1943 to 1985 and earned the nickname of the Big Blue Machine. During this period the party was led by Red Tory premiers: George Drew, Leslie Frost, John Robarts and Bill Davis. These governments were responsible for some of the province's most progressive social legislation (including the Ontario Code of Human Rights), the creation of most of Ontario's welfare state and social programs, the creation of many Crown Corporations, and strong economic growth. Though the Conservatives were reduced to a minority government in 1975 and 1977, they stayed in power as they moved to the left of the rural-based Liberals. In addition, the Liberal and NDP opposition parties had been unwilling to cooperate. The Conservatives' were returned with a majority government in 1981. Big Blue Machine can refer to: Big Blue Machine (Ontario) - the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party political machine This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Red Tory Tradition: Ancient Roots-New Routes, by Ron Dart Red Tory is a term given to a political philosophy, tradition, and disposition in Canada. ... Colonel The Honourable George Alexander Drew, PC , CC , QC (May 7, 1894 - January 4, 1973) was a Canadian conservative politician who founded a Progressive Conservative dynasty in Ontario that lasted 42 years. ... The Honourable Leslie Miscampbell Frost, PC , CC (September 20, 1895-May 4, 1973) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. ... For the recipient of the Victoria Cross see John Robarts (VC). ... For the actor, professor, and waterskiier, see William B. Davis The Honourable William (Bill) Grenville Davis, PC , CC , O.Ont. ...

However, in 1985, the party took a radical shift to the right, electing Frank Miller as leader at a leadership convention, following the retirement of popular longtime Red Tory Premier Bill Davis. This shift in policy did not help the party's fortunes, nor did Davis' announcement to extend full funding for Catholic schools, the latter which alienated the Conservatives' rural supporters. After 42 years of governing Ontario, the 1985 election reduced the Tories to a minority in the Legislature, with only four seats more than the opposition Liberals. The Tories won fewer votes over all than the Liberals. Miller attempted to forge an alliance with the NDP, as Bill Davis did during his minority terms (1975-1981), but they were unable to come to an agreement. The Liberals of David Peterson and the New Democrats of Bob Rae signed an accord (not a formal coalition), ousting Frank Miller, and ending one of the longest political dynasties in Canadian history. This article is about Frank Miller, the Canadian politician. ... In 1985, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party held two leadership conventions: one in January, and one in November. ... David Petersons Liberals, with support from Bob Raes New Democrats, form a minority government despite having fewer seats than Frank Millers Progressive Conservatives. ... The Honourable David Robert Peterson, PC , LL.B , BA (born December 28, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario) was the twentieth Premier of the Province of Ontario, Canada, from June 26, 1985 to October 1, 1990. ... Bob Rae Robert Keith (Bob) Rae, PC, OC, O.Ont, QC, B.A., LL.B, B.Phi. ...

A decade of political upheaval, 1985-1995

Peterson was able to re-energize his party and lead them back into office. The Liberal-NDP coalition of 1985-1987 worked very well with David Peterson at the helm as Premier. In exchange for supporting certain Liberal policies and not defeating Peterson's government in the Legislature, the Liberals agreed to pass certain NDP policies to which Miller had been unwilling to agree.

In the 1987 election, Peterson's Liberals won a substantial majority in the Legislature. Peterson's record in office was a mixed one. During his five years in power, Ontario recorded some of its best economic times; however towards the end of his tenure government spending increased. Although his government predicted a surplus, the Liberals plunged the Government of Ontario into a $3 billion deficit by 1990. Map of the 1987 election, showing the ridings and their popular vote The Ontario general election of 1987 was held on September 10, 1987, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada. ... In the Westminster System, a majority government is one in which the government enjoys an absolute majority of seats in the legislature or Parliament. ...

The Social Contract

The Liberals paid dearly by calling a snap election three years into their mandate in 1990. Before Peterson called the election, his government stood at a 54% approval rating in the polls. However, the early election call turned out to be his undoing as the public interpreted it as arrogance. Several scandals also broke out after the election call and some suspected the Liberals of calling an election just to dodge the upcoming recession. In the most surprising election results in Ontario's history, the NDP was able to win a majority government, however with only 37% of the vote. This government was Ontario's second social democratic government (after the United Farmer's government of Ernest Drury 1919-1923), and its track record would keep the NDP out of serious contention for power in Ontario for another decade. A snap election is an election called earlier than scheduled. ... As a result of serious scandals, David Petersons Liberal government was defeated by a large protest vote. ... Ernest Charles Drury (January 22, 1878-February 17, 1968) was a farmer, politician and writer who served as Premier of Ontario from 1919 to 1923 as the head of a United Farmers of Ontario - Labour coalition government. ...

The NDP took power in the midst of one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression. Though they campaigned predominantly on the promise of a public auto insurance system, they backtracked on this policy, causing a split between Premier Rae and his more left-wing ministers. Initially, they increased spending in the public sector to stimulate employment and productivity. However, due to the unforeseen severity of the recession, it angered the business community while not doing enough to provide for public relief. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Faced with a skyrocketing deficit, the New Democrats introduced cutbacks to social spending as well as the Social Contract, which forced public-sector workers to take unpaid "holidays" or "Rae Days" every year. They also introduced wage freezes. The Social Contract led to most of the labour movement, especially longtime NDP ally Buzz Hargrove and the CAW (Canadian Auto Worker's Union), along with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and other public sector unions turning its backs on Bob Rae, many of their members vowing to bring his government down. Rae also introduced unpopular revenue-raising taxes and operations (like photo radar) that seriously hurt his election prospects. Thousands of party members resigned from the NDP and it became evident that the party was headed for a defeat in the 1995 election. The term social contract describes a broad class of philosophical theories whose subject is the implied agreements by which people form nations and maintain social order. ... Basil Buzz Eldon Hargrove (born March 8, 1944, Bath, New Brunswick, Canada) is the current National President of the Canadian Auto Workers trade union. ... Canadian Auto Workers Logo The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) is one of Canadas largest and highest profile trade unions. ... The Ontario general election of 1995 was held on June 8, 1995, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, Canada. ...

By 1995, Ontario's unemployment rate was skyrocketing and the deficit was growing bigger, leaving most people convinced that the government of Bob Rae had become ineffective. Commentators predicted an easy win for Lyn McLeod's Liberals, but the resurgent Progressive Conservative Party of Mike Harris, which had been reduced to third-party status since the 1987 election, made a tremendous comeback and won a majority. Macleod alienated voters by flip-flopping on campaign issues such as civil unions for same-sex couples. Towards the end of the campaign, the Liberals attempted to copy many Tory policies. Mike Harris, on the other hand campaigned on a controversial, but straightforward agenda known as the Common Sense Revolution, promising to solve Ontario's economic woes and problems with lower taxation, smaller government and pro-business policies to create jobs. He also campaigned as a populist, which gave him the support of several working-class ridings that normally voted NDP. The 1995 election gave the PC Party a large majority, bringing the Tories back into power, however not under their traditional centrist or Red Tory agenda. Lyn McLeod (born 1942) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. ... Michael Deane Harris (born January 23, 1945, in Toronto, Ontario) was the twenty-second Premier of Ontario from June 26, 1995 to April 15, 2002. ... Map of the 1987 election, showing the ridings and their popular vote The Ontario general election of 1987 was held on September 10, 1987, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada. ... Same-sex marriage (also called gay marriage, and—less frequently—homosexual marriage) refers to marriage between partners of the same gender (for other forms of same-sex unions that are different from marriages, see the articles linked in that section). ... The phrase Common Sense Revolution (CSR) has been used as a political slogan to describe common sense conservative platforms in Australia and the U.S. state of New Jersey in the 1990s. ...

The "Common Sense Revolution", 1995-2003

The new conservative government of Mike Harris implemented a programme of cuts to social spending and taxes (the "Common Sense Revolution") that balanced the budget and significantly lowered taxes for most Ontarians (both lower and middle class). However, it also drew controversy for "downloading" or transferring the cost of programs and responsibilities to municipalities. In 1997, the teachers' union protested with a province-wide strike against the Harris government's education initiatives. That year, the Harris government also amalgamated Metro Toronto and its six cities into the new "Megacity" of Toronto despite their opposition. The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was the name of the highest level of municipal government in the Toronto, Ontario area from 1954 to 1997. ...

Mike Harris was re-elected easily in the 1999 election, defeating Dalton McGuinty's Liberals. His victory was largely due to a poor campaign by McGuinty's Liberals, the creation of many new jobs since Harris had taken office, and his record on tax reduction. Negative campaigning by the Tories, which featured ads claiming that McGuinty was "not up to the job" also helped Harris's re-election bid. Map of Ontarios ridings and their popular vote for their party elected The Ontario Legislature after the 1999 election. ... Dalton James Patrick McGuinty Jr. ...

Afterwards, the government's critics alleged that the government's cuts to the Ministry of the Environment and privatization of water-testing laboratories led to the lack of oversight that resulted in contaminated water at Walkerton. Harris stepped down in 2002 and was replaced by Ernie Eves following a leadership election. Eves's government was chiefly notable for stopping Harris's grossly unpopular plan to privatize the public electricity utility, Ontario Power Generation (formerly Ontario Hydro), but not before some parts of the utility had been sold to private interests. The Walkerton Tragedy is a series of events that accompanied the contamination of the water supply of Walkerton, Ontario, Canada, by E. coli bacteria in May 2000. ... Ernest Eves (born June 17, 1946) was the twenty-third Premier of the province of Ontario, Canada, from April 15, 2002, to October 23, 2003. ... The 2002 Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership election was a leadership convention called in the fall of 2001 when Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Premier Mike Harris announced his intention to resign. ... Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is a public company whose shares are wholly owned by the Government of Ontario. ...

The Liberals return to power

In the October 2003 election, Dalton McGuinty led the Liberals to victory against Ernie Eves and his controversy-plagued Tories, coming in with a solid majority. McGuinty's major promises revolved around increasing health care funding, unraveling Mike Harris's education reforms, and not raising taxes. Map of Ontarios ridings and their popular vote for their party elected The Ontario Legislature after the 2003 election. ...

Shortly after the election, however, the former provincial auditor undertook a study that revealed that the Harris-Eves Tories had hidden a deficit of at least $5.6 billion. Minister of Finance Greg Sorbara released a budget introducing tax increases on commodities and businesses, the introduction of a new income tax called the "Ontario Health Premium" for all but low-income Ontarians, the de-listing of health-care services from Ontario Health Insurance Plan. The budget, along with the failure to prevent construction on the environmentally-sensitive Oak Ridges Moraine after his election made the McGuinty government unpopular during its first few months. During his second month in office, McGuinty had an approval rating of only 8%, a record low. Greg Sorbara (born September 4, 1946 in Toronto, Ontario) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. ... The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) is the government-run health plan for the Canadian province of Ontario. ... The Oak Ridges Moraine is an ecologically sensitive geological landform in south central Ontario, Canada. ...

However, things improved after his first year in office. The Ontario government was able to negotiate a national health accord with the federal government and the other provinces, free immunizations against chicken pox and meningitis were added to the list of OHIP-covered immunizations for children, McGuinty announced plans for the creation of the "Green Belt" in the Greater Toronto Area to help control urban sprawl, and plans for the creation of a "Citizen's Assembly" to research electoral reform were also announced. The Tories on the other hand took a shift back to the centre and elected John Tory, a former aide of Bill Davis, to lead the party. Tory opposes the privatization that was advocated by Mike Harris and Ernie Eves, supports the elimination of health premiums and socially has a similar agenda to Dalton McGuinty. The Government of the Province of Ontario, Canada, established a Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform in March 2006. ... John Tory John H. Tory, LL.B, BA, MPP (born May 28, 1954) is a Canadian businessman and leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party. ...

The McGuinty government also brought forward a number of regulatory initiatives including legislation to allow patrons to bring their own wine to restaurants, banning junk food in public schools, outlawing smoking in public places, and requiring students to stay in school until age 18. The government also enacted changes to the Ontario Heritage Act in 2005. Following a series of high-profile maulings, the government also moved to ban pit bulls; a move which has generated strong opposition as well as support. The Ontario Heritage Act allows municipalities and the provincial government to designate properties in the Province of Ontario, Canada as being of cultural heritage value or interest. Once a property has been designated, a property owner must apply to the local municipality for a permit to undertake alterations to any... ...

In the summer of 2003, an Ontario Court of Appeal rulings resulted in Ontario becoming the first of Canada's provinces and territories to legalize same-sex marriage. (See Same-sex marriage in Ontario.) In response to the court decision, the McGuinty Liberals updated the province's legislation relating to married couples to include homosexual couples. The Ontario Court of Appeal is headquartered in downtown Toronto, in historic Osgoode Hall. ... CA, CT, MD, NY, NJ, OR, RI, VT, WA See also Civil union Registered partnership Domestic partnership Timeline of same-sex marriage Listings by country This box: Same-sex marriage is a term for a governmentally, socially, or religiously recognized marriage in which two people of the same sex live... Flag of Ontario Same-sex marriage was legalized in Ontario in 2003 after the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling which declared that defining marriage in heterosexual-only terms violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ...

In 2007 it was announced by the Ontario Citizen's Assembly on Electoral Reform had recommended that Ontario switch to a new electoral system known as Mixed Member Proportional Representation. As a result the Government of Ontario set the date for a referendum on the issue to be October 10, 2007, which is also the date set for the provincial election. The Government also set a "super majority" requirement that requires the support of at least 60% of voters and majority support in 50% of all Ontario ridings for the proposal to be adopted. The Government of the Province of Ontario, Canada, established a Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform in March 2006. ... Ballot for electoral district 252, WÃ¼rzburg, for the 2005 German federal election. ...

If adopted the new system would substantially change electoral politics and s the formation of governments in Ontario. Further it is believed to be an essential stepping stone for electoral reform at the federal level.

Overview of Ontario federal politics

In general, Ontario is a mixed bag in terms of political trends, despite the fact that the federal Liberals dominated the province from 1993 to 2004 against a "divided right" between the centrist Progressive Conservative Party and strongly conservative Canadian Alliance. However, the merger of these two right-wing parties into the new Conservative Party of Canada in 2003 has reduced this Liberal dominance. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (794x723, 37 KB) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (794x723, 37 KB) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Rendition of party representation in the 39th Canadian parliament decided by this election. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: ), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party. ... Popular vote map with bar graphs showing seat totals in the provinces and territories. ... The Canadian federal election, 2004 (more formally, the 38th general election), was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Canadian Alliance, formally the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance, was a Canadian conservative political party that existed from 2000 to 2003. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a conservative political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Southwestern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario, centred on the city of London. ... Midwest States (United States of America, ND to OH) The Midwest is a common name for a region of the United States of America. ... Nickname: Motto: The river and the land sustain us. ... A union (labor union in American English; trade union, sometimes trades union, in British English; either labour union or trade union in Canadian English) is a legal entity consisting of employees or workers having a common interest, such as all the assembly workers for one employer, or all the workers... List of major social issues overpopulation teenage pregnancy drug abuse gun control education issue singlemother increase in divorce rate increase in HI rate ... Central Ontario is the portion of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies between Georgian Bay and a portion of the north shore of Lake Ontario. ... Eastern Ontario is the region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies between the Ottawa and St. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Motto: Advance Ottawa/Ottawa en avant Location of the City of Ottawa in the Province of Ontario Coordinates: Country Canada Province Ontario Established 1850 as Town of Bytown Incorporated 1855 as City of Ottawa Amalgamated January 1, 2001 Government - Mayor Larry OBrien - City Council Ottawa City Council - Representatives 8... Murney Tower, Kingston The Fort Henry Guard performing an historical demonstration The Prince George Hotel. ... The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party (PC Party of Ontario, also known as Tories) is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a conservative political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... Northern Ontario is the part of the province of Ontario, Canada, which lies north of Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, the French River and Lake Nipissing. ... First Nations is a term of ethnicity used in Canada. ... Parry Sound District is a census division of the Canadian province of Ontario. ... The Muskoka District Municipality, more generally referred to as the District of Muskoka, or simply Muskoka (the official name is the District Municipality of Muskoka) is a Regional Municipality located in Central Ontario. ... North Bay ( , time zone EST) is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada (2006 population 53,966). ... Manitoulin Island is the worlds largest freshwater lake island, with an area of 2,766 square kilometres (1068 square miles). ...

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The Big Blue Machine, 1943-1985 GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");