The Peterson Years
@petersonyears.bsky.social
Commemorating the 40th anniversary of one of the most activist governments in Ontario’s history.
By the 1980s, Ontario was rapidly becoming more diverse. However, government policies, practices, and services were not keeping up. The Peterson Liberals modernized the Government of Ontario into one that aimed to serve all members of society in which all people could see themselves reflected.
February 9, 2026 at 5:02 PM
By the 1980s, Ontario was rapidly becoming more diverse. However, government policies, practices, and services were not keeping up. The Peterson Liberals modernized the Government of Ontario into one that aimed to serve all members of society in which all people could see themselves reflected.
Ron served as a teacher, principal, school superintendent, and Public Utilities Commissioner in London, Ontario before becoming the MPP for London North. As Minister Responsible for Senior Citizens’ Issues, Ron introduced the government’s white paper on seniors’ care.
February 6, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Ron served as a teacher, principal, school superintendent, and Public Utilities Commissioner in London, Ontario before becoming the MPP for London North. As Minister Responsible for Senior Citizens’ Issues, Ron introduced the government’s white paper on seniors’ care.
John Sweeney was first elected as the MPP for Kitchener-Wilmot in 1975 and spent a decade as part of the Liberal Party opposition in the legislature. As Minister of Community and Social Services, John announced a ground-breaking review of social assistance programs in Ontario.
February 5, 2026 at 5:07 PM
John Sweeney was first elected as the MPP for Kitchener-Wilmot in 1975 and spent a decade as part of the Liberal Party opposition in the legislature. As Minister of Community and Social Services, John announced a ground-breaking review of social assistance programs in Ontario.
Greg Sorbara was first elected as an MPP in 1985 in the riding of York North. He served until 1995, then briefly left politics, returning in 2001. He was one of only a handful of MPPs to serve as a Cabinet Minister in both the Peterson and McGuinty Governments.
February 4, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Greg Sorbara was first elected as an MPP in 1985 in the riding of York North. He served until 1995, then briefly left politics, returning in 2001. He was one of only a handful of MPPs to serve as a Cabinet Minister in both the Peterson and McGuinty Governments.
Joan Smith was first elected as the MPP for London South in 1985. She had previously served as an alderman on London City Council. She was appointed Chief Government Whip for the newly formed Liberal Government as well as Deputy Government House Leader. In 1987, she was appointed Solicitor General.
February 3, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Joan Smith was first elected as the MPP for London South in 1985. She had previously served as an alderman on London City Council. She was appointed Chief Government Whip for the newly formed Liberal Government as well as Deputy Government House Leader. In 1987, she was appointed Solicitor General.
Ian Scott was first elected in 1985 after a career as a highly regarded advocate and courtroom lawyer. He would play a crucial role in the Peterson Government as Attorney General, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, and Minister Responsible for Race Relations.
February 2, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Ian Scott was first elected in 1985 after a career as a highly regarded advocate and courtroom lawyer. He would play a crucial role in the Peterson Government as Attorney General, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, and Minister Responsible for Race Relations.
To support Indigenous business and communities, the Peterson Government created an Indigenous economic development strategy for Ontario and introduced the Ontario Native Economic Support Program to help finance Indigenous community facilities.
January 30, 2026 at 5:04 PM
To support Indigenous business and communities, the Peterson Government created an Indigenous economic development strategy for Ontario and introduced the Ontario Native Economic Support Program to help finance Indigenous community facilities.
The 1980s and early 1990s were an era of constitutional reform. One focus of that reform was advancing the negotiation of Indigenous self-government agreements. In 1989, Ian Scott introduced guidelines for negotiating self-government with Indigenous communities across Ontario.
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
The 1980s and early 1990s were an era of constitutional reform. One focus of that reform was advancing the negotiation of Indigenous self-government agreements. In 1989, Ian Scott introduced guidelines for negotiating self-government with Indigenous communities across Ontario.
The Peterson government took key steps to support Indigenous communities in the province of Ontario in the 1980s, including appointing Ontario’s first Minister for Native Affairs and establishing Ontario’s first Native Affairs Directorate.
January 26, 2026 at 4:03 PM
The Peterson government took key steps to support Indigenous communities in the province of Ontario in the 1980s, including appointing Ontario’s first Minister for Native Affairs and establishing Ontario’s first Native Affairs Directorate.
Tony Ruprecht ran for provincial politics and became the MPP for Parkdale, later switching to the riding of Davenport in 1999 after a riding redistribution. He was re-elected in 1985 and became the Minister Responsible for Disabled Persons and Multiculturalism.
January 23, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Tony Ruprecht ran for provincial politics and became the MPP for Parkdale, later switching to the riding of Davenport in 1999 after a riding redistribution. He was re-elected in 1985 and became the Minister Responsible for Disabled Persons and Multiculturalism.
Jack Riddell was a high school teacher, livestock auctioneer, and Assistant Manager of the Ontario Stockyards. He was elected as the MPP for Huron. He served in opposition until the Peterson Liberals formed government in 1985 and he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food.
January 22, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Jack Riddell was a high school teacher, livestock auctioneer, and Assistant Manager of the Ontario Stockyards. He was elected as the MPP for Huron. He served in opposition until the Peterson Liberals formed government in 1985 and he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food.
David Ramsay was first elected as the MPP for Timiskaming in 1985 as a member of the NDP. In 1986, he crossed the floor to join the Liberal Caucus. He was handily re-elected and joined the Peterson Cabinet as Minister of Correctional Services. In 1989, he became Minister of Agriculture and Food.
January 21, 2026 at 5:04 PM
David Ramsay was first elected as the MPP for Timiskaming in 1985 as a member of the NDP. In 1986, he crossed the floor to join the Liberal Caucus. He was handily re-elected and joined the Peterson Cabinet as Minister of Correctional Services. In 1989, he became Minister of Agriculture and Food.
Gerry Phillips was first elected in 1987 and was quickly named the Minister of Citizenship. He later served as a Commissioner of the Board of Internal Economy and the Minister of Labour in the Peterson Government.
January 20, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Gerry Phillips was first elected in 1987 and was quickly named the Minister of Citizenship. He later served as a Commissioner of the Board of Internal Economy and the Minister of Labour in the Peterson Government.
Richard Patten was first elected in 1987 as part of the Peterson majority. He was immediately named the Minister of Government Services and later served as the Minister of Correctional Services and a Commissioner of the Board of Internal Economy.
January 19, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Richard Patten was first elected in 1987 as part of the Peterson majority. He was immediately named the Minister of Government Services and later served as the Minister of Correctional Services and a Commissioner of the Board of Internal Economy.
Before running for political office, Ian Scott had been a well-regarded lawyer and constitutional expert. This should have made him an obvious choice for the role of Attorney General in the new Peterson Government. However, he was also gay, a fact widely known by friends and many acquaintances.
January 16, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Before running for political office, Ian Scott had been a well-regarded lawyer and constitutional expert. This should have made him an obvious choice for the role of Attorney General in the new Peterson Government. However, he was also gay, a fact widely known by friends and many acquaintances.
In 1986, Attorney General Ian Scott introduced legislation to update the Ontario Human Rights Code so that acts of discrimination banned by the Charter would not be allowed under the Code. The legislation would eventually pass 64-45.
January 14, 2026 at 5:05 PM
In 1986, Attorney General Ian Scott introduced legislation to update the Ontario Human Rights Code so that acts of discrimination banned by the Charter would not be allowed under the Code. The legislation would eventually pass 64-45.
The Peterson Liberals supported Ontario’s LGBTQ community by legally prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. This first-strike against bigotry would help pave the way for the expansion of LGBTQ rights and inclusion in the decades that followed. #ThePetersonYears
January 12, 2026 at 5:05 PM
The Peterson Liberals supported Ontario’s LGBTQ community by legally prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. This first-strike against bigotry would help pave the way for the expansion of LGBTQ rights and inclusion in the decades that followed. #ThePetersonYears
Hugh O'Neil served as the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Technology, Minister of Tourism and Recreation, Minister of Mines, and Minister of Culture and Communications in 1990. After 20 years in elected politics, Hugh opted for retirement in 1995.
January 9, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Hugh O'Neil served as the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Technology, Minister of Tourism and Recreation, Minister of Mines, and Minister of Culture and Communications in 1990. After 20 years in elected politics, Hugh opted for retirement in 1995.
Steve Offer was first elected to the Legislature in 1985 in the riding of Mississauga North. He served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations as well as to the Attorney General and later was promoted to cabinet as the Solicitor General.
January 8, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Steve Offer was first elected to the Legislature in 1985 in the riding of Mississauga North. He served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations as well as to the Attorney General and later was promoted to cabinet as the Solicitor General.
Bob Nixon served as Ontario Liberal Party Leader, Leader of the Opposition, Government House Leader, Minister of Economics, Minister of Revenue, Treasurer, Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet and Deputy Premier.
January 7, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Bob Nixon served as Ontario Liberal Party Leader, Leader of the Opposition, Government House Leader, Minister of Economics, Minister of Revenue, Treasurer, Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet and Deputy Premier.
Lily Oddie was elected in 1985 and appointed to cabinet as the Minister of Citizenship and Culture. She was re-elected in 1987 and appointed Minister of Culture and Communications. She established the Ontario Film Development Corporation and the Canadian Centre for Advanced Film Studies.
January 6, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Lily Oddie was elected in 1985 and appointed to cabinet as the Minister of Citizenship and Culture. She was re-elected in 1987 and appointed Minister of Culture and Communications. She established the Ontario Film Development Corporation and the Canadian Centre for Advanced Film Studies.
Gilles Morin ran for election in 1985 in the riding of Carleton East, which he went on to represent until 1999. In 1989, he was appointed to cabinet as the Minister Responsible for Senior Citizens Affairs. In opposition, he spent seven years as Deputy Speaker in the Legislature.
January 5, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Gilles Morin ran for election in 1985 in the riding of Carleton East, which he went on to represent until 1999. In 1989, he was appointed to cabinet as the Minister Responsible for Senior Citizens Affairs. In opposition, he spent seven years as Deputy Speaker in the Legislature.
In 1988, Minister Chris Ward created Ontario's first French-language school board in Ottawa-Carlton. It allowed Franco-Ontarian voters to shape their children’s educational environment and elect French-speaking trustees. Today, there are 12 French-language school boards in Ontario.
January 2, 2026 at 5:02 PM
In 1988, Minister Chris Ward created Ontario's first French-language school board in Ottawa-Carlton. It allowed Franco-Ontarian voters to shape their children’s educational environment and elect French-speaking trustees. Today, there are 12 French-language school boards in Ontario.
The Peterson Government paid special attention to advancing the language and cultural rights of Ontario’s Francophone population. It passed the landmark French Languages Services Act and expanded French-language education in the province at the elementary and secondary school levels.
December 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The Peterson Government paid special attention to advancing the language and cultural rights of Ontario’s Francophone population. It passed the landmark French Languages Services Act and expanded French-language education in the province at the elementary and secondary school levels.
Lyn McLeod served as the Minister of Colleges and Universities, Minister of Energy, and Minister of Natural Resources before running in and winning the 1992 leadership election, making her the first woman to lead a major political party in Ontario.
December 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Lyn McLeod served as the Minister of Colleges and Universities, Minister of Energy, and Minister of Natural Resources before running in and winning the 1992 leadership election, making her the first woman to lead a major political party in Ontario.