Premier of Ontario

Premier of Ontario
Post	Premier
Body	Ontario
Incumbent	Doug Ford
Incumbentsince	June 29, 2018
Department	Executive Council of Ontario
Reports to	Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Seat	Toronto
Appointer	Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Termlength	At the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario's pleasure
Formation	July 16, 1867
First	John Sandfield Macdonald

Contents

Role and responsibilities
Selection and term
History
List of premiers
Office and residence
See also (if applicable)

Premier of Ontario. The Premier of Ontario is the head of government for Canada's most populous province, Ontario. Appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the premier is typically the leader of the party commanding the confidence of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The officeholder oversees the Executive Council of Ontario and sets the policy agenda for the provincial government, influencing areas from health care and education to infrastructure and economic development.

Role and responsibilities

The premier serves as the province’s chief executive, chairing the Executive Council of Ontario and determining the composition of the ministry. They set the government’s legislative and policy priorities, which are articulated in speeches like the Speech from the Throne and through the provincial budget. The premier represents Ontario in intergovernmental forums, including negotiations with the Government of Canada and other provincial premiers at meetings such as the Council of the Federation. They also act as the chief spokesperson for the provincial government and their political party, responding to events and guiding the public administration through the Ontario Public Service.

Selection and term

The premier is formally appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, who conventionally selects the leader of the political party that holds the most seats in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario following a general election. There are no term limits for the position; the premier remains in office at the lieutenant governor’s pleasure, provided they maintain the confidence of the House. If the governing party loses a confidence vote or the premier resigns, the lieutenant governor may ask another member of the legislature, often the leader of the opposition, to attempt to form a government or may dissolve the legislature for an election. The premier must hold a seat in the legislative assembly, typically representing an electoral district such as Don Valley West or Etobicoke North.

History

The position was established at Canadian Confederation on July 16, 1867, with John Sandfield Macdonald becoming the first premier. Early premiers, like Oliver Mowat, who served for nearly 24 years, were instrumental in defining provincial rights against the federal government led by John A. Macdonald. The 20th century saw significant premiers from various parties, including Howard Ferguson of the Progressive Conservatives, Mitchell Hepburn of the Liberals, and Leslie Frost, known as the “Father of Modern Ontario.” The New Democratic Party, under Bob Rae, formed its first government in 1990. The Progressive Conservatives under Mike Harris implemented the Common Sense Revolution in the 1990s, while Dalton McGuinty led the Liberals for a decade in the 2000s. The first female premier, Kathleen Wynne, was appointed in 2013.

List of premiers

Since 1867, Ontario has had 26 premiers, predominantly from the Liberal and Progressive Conservative parties. The longest-serving premier was Oliver Mowat (1872–1896), while the shortest was Edward Blake (1871–1872). Notable 20th and 21st century premiers include John Robarts (1961–1971), Bill Davis (1971–1985), David Peterson (1985–1990), Bob Rae (1990–1995), Mike Harris (1995–2002), Ernie Eves (2002–2003), Dalton McGuinty (2003–2013), Kathleen Wynne (2013–2018), and the current premier, Doug Ford (2018–present). The NDP has formed government once, under Rae.

Office and residence

The premier’s main office is located within the Ontario Legislative Building at Queen's Park in Toronto. While there is no official, state-provided premier’s residence, some premiers have used their private homes or, historically, the Chorley Park residence in Rosedale before its closure. The premier also maintains offices and conducts business from the Whitney Block and other buildings within the government precinct in Toronto. The premier frequently hosts events and meetings at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and other venues across the province.