Who is in Ontario’s Government?
Canada is a democratic society and all provincial and federal governing bodies are elected to power. There is a provincial election every four or five years. Currently, Ontario is under Liberal power, led by Premier Dalton McGuinty, with a Conservative federal power (The Opposition). The Premier chooses the Executive Council, who are called Ministers and they form the Cabinet. Cabinets develop government legislation, policies and set priorities for the province.
The Prime Minister (PM) is elected by the country and then appointed by the Governor General to the most senior of the cabinet ministers in the executive branch of the parliamentary system, and thus the head of the government of Canada. Canada’s current PM is Stephen Harper.
The political party that wins the largest number of seats in legislature forms the government, it’s leader becoming the Premier of the province, falling just under the Prime Minister in terms of power. There are a total of 107 seats in the Legislative Assembly. Currently, the Liberals hold 72 seats in the Legislative Assembly; Progressive Conservatives (PC) hold 25 seats, and the National Democratic Party (NDP) hold 10 seats. Independent parties such as the Green Party are gaining popularity but have not won seats in the House yet.
How Does Ontario Government Work?
There are 3 kinds of government: federal government across Canada; provincial government for the provinces; and local or municipal government, which govern the cities, towns and regions. Provincial government is responsible for issues laid out in the Constitution Act, 1867. Section 69 stipulates “There shall be a Legislature for Ontario consisting of the Lieutenant Governor and of One House, styled the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.” The provincial legislature ensures that the provincial government has power to enact or amend laws and programs in the fields of natural resources and environment, hospitals, property and civil rights in the province, education, administration of justice, and social services.
Ontario is governed by the Legislative Assembly, which is comprised of Member of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and Cabinet Ministers. When the House is in session, it seats Liberal, Progressive Conservative, and NDP MPPs and Ministers. This is when the House considers new laws (bills), and passes, changes or repeals laws. There is a one-hour question period for members (usually the Opposition) to question the government to serve the public interest.
The Legislative Assembly model comes from the Westminster System – a democratic parliamentary system of government from the Unite Kingdom. Some key roles include:
- A head of state (i.e., Queen Elizabeth II)
- A head of government known as the Prime Minister (currently, Stephen Harper)
- An executive branch (cabinet ministers led by Premier Dalton McGuinty)
- An official opposition
- An elected legislature (MPPs), first-past-the-post (as opposed to proportional representation)
- A lower house (House of Commons) that can dismiss a government by rejecting a budget, passing a motion of no confidence or defeating a confidence motion (which would then call for an election).
- Parliamentary privilege that allows for any issue to be discussed without worry of defamatory statements or records.
- Meeting minutes, including the allowance of legislature to strike decisions from these minutes.
Cabinet members vouch for all provincial policy. Cabinet decisions are made by consensus and individuals are expected to support their party’s decision regardless of personal reservations. Imminent Cabinet shuffles happen periodically to replace ministers who have retired or resigned, as well as when a public opinion reading warrants a strong need to change policies.
