List of premiers of Ontario

Below is a list of the Premiers of the province of Ontario, Canada, since Confederation in 1867. Ontario uses a unicameral Westminster-style parliamentary government, in which the premier is the leader of the party that controls the most seats in the Legislative Assembly. The premier is Ontario's head of government. The premier picks a cabinet from the elected members to form the Executive Council of Ontario, and presides over that body.

Members are first elected to the legislature during general elections. General elections must be conducted every four years from the date of the last election. An election may also happen if the Governing party loses the confidence of the legislature, by the defeat of a supply bill or tabling of a confidence motion.

This article only covers the time since the Canadian Confederation was created in 1867. For the premiers of Canada West from 1840 to 1867, see List of Joint Premiers of the Province of Canada.

The 26th and current Premier of Ontario is Doug Ford of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario since June 29, 2018.

Premiers of Ontario since 1867

  Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario   United Farmers of Ontario   Ontario Liberal Party   Ontario New Democratic Party

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
District		 Term of office Electoral mandates (Assembly) Political party
1
John Sandfield Macdonald
(1812–1872)
MLA for Cornwall		 16 July[1] 1867
–
20 December[1] 1871		 Liberal-Conservative Party


Macdonald led a Coalition between the Liberal-Conservative Party and the Liberal Party; was also an MP in the House of Commons until 1872.
2
Edward Blake
(1833–1912)
MLA for Bruce South		 20 December[2] 1871
–
25 October[2] 1872		 Liberal Party


Resigned to lead the federal Liberal Party
3
Sir Oliver Mowat
(1820–1903)
MLA for Oxford North		 25 October[3] 1872
–
21 July[3] 1896		 Liberal Party


Secured a large amount of power for the provinces through court battles with the federal government; introduced the secret ballot in elections and extended suffrage beyond property owners; created the municipal level of government; 1894 Ontario prohibition plebiscite
4
Arthur Sturgis Hardy
(1837–1901)
MLA for Brant South		 21 July[4] 1896
–
21 October[4] 1899		 Liberal Party


5
Sir George William Ross
(1841–1914)
MLA for Middlesex West		 21 October[5] 1899
–
8 February[5] 1905		 Liberal Party


Expanded libraries, kindergarten, and university grants; 1902 Ontario prohibition referendum
6
Sir James Whitney
(1843–1914)
MLA for Dundas		 8 February[6] 1905
–
25 September[6] 1914		 Conservative Party


Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario; Workmen's Compensation Act; temperance legislation; Regulation 17; Only Premier to die in office (1914).
Acting
William John Hanna
(1862–1919)
MLA for Lambton West		 25 September 1914
–
2 October 1914		 Conservative Party


Acting Premier
7
Sir William Hearst
(1864–1941)
MLA for Sault Ste. Marie		 2 October[7] 1914
–
14 November[7] 1919		 Conservative Party


Ontario Temperance Act; expanded workers injury compensation; allowed woman suffrage; 1919 Ontario prohibition referendum
8
Ernest Drury
(1878–1968)
MLA for Halton		 14 November[8] 1919
–
16 July[8] 1923		 United Farmers


Led a Coalition between the United Farmers party and the Labour MLAs; did not win a seat in the legislature until a 1920 by-election; created the first Department of Welfare; set a minimum wage for women; expanded Ontario Hydro; created the Province of Ontario Savings Office; began the first major reforestation program in North America; 1921 Ontario prohibition referendum
9
Howard Ferguson
(1870–1946)
MLA for Grenville		 16 July[9] 1923
–
15 December[9] 1930		 Conservative Party
Named leader in 1920


Relaxed Regulation 17; created the Liquor Control Board of Ontario; 1924 Ontario prohibition referendum
10
George Stewart Henry
(1871–1958)
MLA for York East		 15 December[10] 1930
–
10 July[10] 1934		 Conservative Party


Expansion of highway system, including construction of the Queen Elizabeth Way
11
Mitchell Hepburn
(1896–1953)
MLA for Elgin (until 1938)
MPP for Elgin (from 1938)		 10 July[11] 1934
–
21 October[11] 1942		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 1930


Greatly cutting government spending; succession tax; compulsory milk pasteurization; relaxed temperance laws; made the Dionne Quintuplets wards of the state; unsuccessfully tried to break the first United Auto Workers strike against GM; conflict with PM Mackenzie King over conduct of WWII and conscription.
12
Gordon Daniel Conant
(1885–1953)
MPP for Ontario		 21 October[12] 1942
–
18 May[12] 1943		 Liberal Party


"Appointed" premier by Liberal leader Mitchell Hepburn but forced to call and contest leadership convention due to caucus revolt, which he lost to Nixon.
13
Harry Nixon
(1891–1961)
MPP for Brant		 18 May[13] 1943
–
17 August[13] 1943		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 1943


Last Liberal Premier for 42 years.
14
George A. Drew
(1894–1973)
MPP for High Park (until 1948)		 17 August[14] 1943
–
19 October[14] 1948		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1938


Began a 42-year Conservative dynasty; Drew Regulation; LeBel Royal Commission; joined Ontario to North American power grid, increased provincial share of Education spending; opened immigration offices in UK and arranged for cheap charter flights to bring 20,000 British immigrants to Ontario.
15
Thomas Laird Kennedy
(1878–1959)
MPP for Peel		 19 October[15] 1948
–
4 May[15] 1949		 Progressive Conservative Party


Interim premier between resignation of Drew and leadership convention to choose his successor.
16
Leslie Frost
(1895–1973)
MPP for Victoria		 4 May[16] 1949
–
8 November[16] 1961		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1949


400-series highways; Provincial Sales Tax; public hospital insurance which would become OHIP; Expansion of universities; Fair Employment Practices Act and Fair Accommodation Practices Act and Ontario Human Rights Commission created; Voting rights for First Nations; Creation of Metropolitan Toronto and Toronto's first subway.
17
John Robarts
(1917–1982)
MPP for London North		 8 November[17] 1961
–
1 March[17] 1971		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1961


Ontario Human Rights Code; 1967 "Confederation of Tomorrow" conference; Ontario Housing Corporation created; French education in Ontario schools; Creation of Ontario Health Insurance Plan; Creation of community college system; Creation of TVOntario.
18
Bill Davis
(b. 1929)
MPP for Peel North (until 1975)
MPP for Brampton (from 1975)		 1 March[18] 1971
–
8 February[18] 1985		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1971


Spadina Expressway; rejected (1971) then later partly extended (1984); full funding to Ontario's Catholic high schools; expansion of health care and education; extension of Ontario Human Rights Code provisions; expansion of French-language services ; new regional governments; Rent controls; social housing expansion; Played a key role in patriation of the Canadian Constitution.
19
Frank Miller
(1927–2000)
MPP for Muskoka		 8 February[19] 1985
–
26 June[19] 1985		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1985


Lost a motion of no confidence immediately after the election and resigned power to the opposition party.
20
David Peterson
(b. 1943)
MPP for London Centre		 26 June[20] 1985
–
1 October[20] 1990		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 1982


Had the second-most seats in the 33rd assembly, but formed an accord with the New Democratic Party that would let the Liberal Party take power without forming an official coalition. Banned extra-billing by doctors and ended health insurance premiums. Reforms to rent laws, labour negotiation laws, pensions, environment; implemented extension of Catholic school funding to grade 13 announced by previous government; supported the Meech Lake Accord; Introduced no-fault auto insurance; Patti Starr scandal
21
Bob Rae
(b. 1948)
MPP for York South		 1 October[21] 1990
–
26 June[21] 1995		 New Democratic Party
Named leader in 1982 of legis


Social Contract and clash with unions; Rae days; Pay equity; Affirmative action; Strengthening of rent control; anti-scab legislation; Reserve status for North Ontario Aboriginals; Moratorium on new nuclear plants; Attempted to maintain ban on Sunday shopping before allowing it; Introduction of casinos; Attempted to bring in extension of spousal benefits for same-sex partners.
22
Mike Harris
(b. 1945)
MPP for Nipissing		 26 June[22] 1995
–
14 April[22] 2002		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1990


Common Sense Revolution; 30% tax cut; 21% cut to social assistance rates; attempted to introduce Workfare; cancelled urban infrastructure projects including Eglinton subway; cut government spending; downloading of Ontario Housing to municipalities; provincial funding for municipal transit reduced; Telehealth Ontario created; division of Ontario Hydro; municipal amalgamations, including Amalgamation of Toronto; Elimination of OAC year (Grade 13) and re-introduction of standardized testing; privatization of Highway 407; Ipperwash Crisis; teacher strikes; Walkerton Tragedy; Ontario's Drive Clean; hospital closures and health restructuring.
23
Ernie Eves
(b. 1946)
MPP for Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey		 15 April[23] 2002
–
22 October[23] 2003		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 2002


Kimberly Rogers and welfare reform; Possible sale of Hydro One and problem with hydro costs due to hot summers and 2003 North America blackout.
24
Dalton McGuinty
(b. 1955)
MPP for Ottawa South		 23 October[24][25] 2003
–
11 February[24][26] 2013		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 1996


Green Energy and Economy Act; Auto insurance reforms; Cancelled tax cuts; Increase in health spending and Health Premium tax; Transfer of gas tax to municipalities; Breed-specific legislation aka ban on/government-sanctioned euthanization of 'pit bulls' and dogs considered to resemble 'pit bulls'; Established the Greenbelt; Renegotiation of federal equalization; Expansion of Ontario's Drive Clean; full-day kindergarten; MoveOntario; eHealth Ontario scandal; Harmonized Sales Tax; Ontario power plant scandal. Decreased drinking while driving limit to 0.05 from 0.08. On October 15, 2012, unexpected announcement of resignation and prorogation of legislature.
25
Kathleen Wynne
(b. 1953)
MPP for Don Valley West		 11 February[27][28] 2013
–
29 June[29][30] 2018		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 2013


First female Premier of Ontario, first openly gay premier in Canada; Ontario-Québec Relations (500 megawatts (MW) of peak electricity sharing); Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act; The Great Lakes Protection Act; $30-billion investment into transportation across the province; privatization of Hydro One; allowed beer and wine to be sold in certain grocery stores; updated sex education in public schools; raised the minimum wage in Ontario to $14; created the OHIP+ program to provide prescription drugs free for youth under 25; conflicted with the Auditor General and Financial Accountability Office over budgeting. On June 7, 2018, led party to worst defeat of a governing party in Ontario history.
26
Doug Ford
(b. 1964)
MPP for Etobicoke North		 29 June[29][30] 2018
–
Incumbent		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 2018


Ended the 2018 York University strike. Withdrew from the Western Climate Initiative and cancelled the provincial cap and trade system. Cut Toronto City Council from 47 to 25 wards. Scrapped 2015 sex-ed curriculum to rollback to previous 1998–2014 curriculum.
Co. Coalition government (^Macdonald ^Drury )
Min. Minority government (^Drew ^Davis ^Miller ^Peterson ^McGuinty ^Wynne )
LS Party won the election, but premier lost own seat (^Drew )

Timeline of Ontario Premiers
Doug FordKathleen WynneDalton McGuintyErnie EvesMike HarrisBob RaeDavid PetersonBill DavisJohn RobartsLeslie FrostThomas KennedyGeorge DrewHarry NixonGordon Daniel ConantMitchell HepburnGeorge Stewart HenryWilliam HearstJames WhitneyGeorge William RossArthur HardyOliver MowatEdward Blake

Living former premiers

As of July 2020, seven former premiers are alive, the oldest being Bill Davis (1971–1985, born 1929). The most recent former premier to die was Frank Miller (February–June 1985), on July 21, 2000.

NameTermDate of birth
Bill Davis 1971–1985 (1929-07-30) July 30, 1929
David Peterson 1985–1990 (1943-12-28) December 28, 1943
Bob Rae 1990–1995 (1948-08-02) August 2, 1948
Mike Harris 1995–2002 (1945-01-23) January 23, 1945
Ernie Eves 2002–2003 (1946-06-17) June 17, 1946
Dalton McGuinty 2003–2013 (1955-07-19) July 19, 1955
Kathleen Wynne 2013–2018 (1953-05-21) May 21, 1953
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See also

For more lists of this type, see Lists of incumbents.

Notes
  1. "John Sandfield Macdonald, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  2. "Edward Blake, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  3. "Oliver Mowat, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  4. "Arthur Sturgis Hardy, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  5. "George William Ross, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  6. "James Pliny Whitney, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  7. "William Howard Hearst, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  8. "Ernest Charles Drury, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  9. "George Howard Ferguson, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  10. "George Stewart Henry, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  11. "Mitchell Frederick Hepburn, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  12. "Gordon Daniel Conant, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  13. "Harry Corwin Nixon, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  14. "George Alexander Drew, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  15. "Thomas Laird Kennedy, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  16. "Leslie Miscampbell Frost, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  17. "John Parmenter Robarts, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  18. "William Grenville Davis, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  19. "Frank Stuart Miller, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  20. "David Robert Peterson, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  21. "Bob Keith Rae, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  22. "Michael Harris, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  23. "Ernie Eves, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  24. "Dalton McGuinty, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  25. "McGuinty Government Takes Office; Ready To Get To Work For All Ontarians". Office of the Premier of Ontario. October 23, 2003. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  26. "Meeting with the Premier and Ms. Wynne". Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Archived from the original on June 7, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  27. "Kathleen Wynne, MPP". Legislative Assembly website. Legislative Assembly on Ontario. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  28. "Jobs, Economy, a Fair Society: Priorities for New Ontario Government". Office of the Premier of Ontario. February 11, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  29. "Doug Ford to Become Ontario's 26th Premier". Government of Ontario. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  30. Denette, Nathan (8 June 2018). "Doug Ford has won Ontario's election. What happens now? A guide". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 8 June 2018.

References

  1. https://www.ola.org/en/members/current/opposition-critics
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