The Peterson Years
@petersonyears.bsky.social
Commemorating the 40th anniversary of one of the most activist governments in Ontario’s history.
Monte Kwinter was first elected in 1985 and served uninterrupted until 2018, retiring from politics at the age of 87, making him the oldest person to serve as an MPP in Ontario to that point. He served as a Minister in two different Liberal Governments.
December 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Monte Kwinter was first elected in 1985 and served uninterrupted until 2018, retiring from politics at the age of 87, making him the oldest person to serve as an MPP in Ontario to that point. He served as a Minister in two different Liberal Governments.
Ken Keyes was elected MPP for Kingston and the Islands in 1985 and was appointed to cabinet where he served as Minister of Correctional Services and Solicitor General through the entirety of the first term of the Peterson Government.
December 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Ken Keyes was elected MPP for Kingston and the Islands in 1985 and was appointed to cabinet where he served as Minister of Correctional Services and Solicitor General through the entirety of the first term of the Peterson Government.
Vince Kerrio was first elected as an MPP in Niagara Falls by just 172 votes in the 1975 provincial election. He would represent the riding for fifteen years and serve as the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Natural Resources.
December 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Vince Kerrio was first elected as an MPP in Niagara Falls by just 172 votes in the 1975 provincial election. He would represent the riding for fifteen years and serve as the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Natural Resources.
Elected in 1987, Bob Wong became the first Canadian of Chinese descent elected as an MPP and appointed to Cabinet in Canada. He stated at the time, “I have always believed that diversity helps to build better governments, organizations, and a better country.”
obituaries.thestar.com/obituary/rob...
obituaries.thestar.com/obituary/rob...
ROBERT "BOB" CHARLES WONG Obituary | Toronto Star
View ROBERT "BOB" CHARLES WONG's complete obituary, share memories, and explore heartfelt tribute posts from the community.
obituaries.thestar.com
December 20, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Elected in 1987, Bob Wong became the first Canadian of Chinese descent elected as an MPP and appointed to Cabinet in Canada. He stated at the time, “I have always believed that diversity helps to build better governments, organizations, and a better country.”
obituaries.thestar.com/obituary/rob...
obituaries.thestar.com/obituary/rob...
The 1987 Throne Speech committed to no longer institutionalizing people with intellectual disabilities. Instead, the government committed to a system of flexible community-based programs and services that respected the dignity, independence, and the unique needs of each individual.
December 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The 1987 Throne Speech committed to no longer institutionalizing people with intellectual disabilities. Instead, the government committed to a system of flexible community-based programs and services that respected the dignity, independence, and the unique needs of each individual.
The Peterson Government took action to improve workplace safety in order to help prevent accidents causing a lifetime of disability for workers. In 1988, Labour Minister Greg Sorbara introduced two pieces of legislation to improve workplace safety.
December 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
The Peterson Government took action to improve workplace safety in order to help prevent accidents causing a lifetime of disability for workers. In 1988, Labour Minister Greg Sorbara introduced two pieces of legislation to improve workplace safety.
The Peterson Liberals sought to make Ontario a more equal and accessible place to live. They began this work by requiring reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
December 15, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The Peterson Liberals sought to make Ontario a more equal and accessible place to live. They began this work by requiring reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Chaviva Hošek ran in the riding of Oakwood in 1987 and was quickly appointed the Minister of Housing, where she introduced new tenant protections, increased the supply of emergency and transitional housing to combat homelessness, and worked to strengthen the non-profit housing sector.
December 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Chaviva Hošek ran in the riding of Oakwood in 1987 and was quickly appointed the Minister of Housing, where she introduced new tenant protections, increased the supply of emergency and transitional housing to combat homelessness, and worked to strengthen the non-profit housing sector.
Christine Hart entered politics by running in a by-election in York East in 1986. She won re-election in 1987 and was promoted to cabinet as the Minister of Culture and Communications in 1989.
December 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Christine Hart entered politics by running in a by-election in York East in 1986. She won re-election in 1987 and was promoted to cabinet as the Minister of Culture and Communications in 1989.
Bernard Grandmaître was first elected as an alderman and mayor for what was then Vanier City Council from 1969 to 1984. He became an MPP in 1984 through a by-election and served as the Ontario Liberal MPP for Ottawa East until 1999.
December 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Bernard Grandmaître was first elected as an alderman and mayor for what was then Vanier City Council from 1969 to 1984. He became an MPP in 1984 through a by-election and served as the Ontario Liberal MPP for Ottawa East until 1999.
Ed Fulton began his political career as an alderman in the City of Scarborough. He ran in the 1985 election in Scarborough East and was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Transportation and Communications. He would later also serve as the Parliamentary Assistant for Tourism and Recreation.
December 9, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Ed Fulton began his political career as an alderman in the City of Scarborough. He ran in the 1985 election in Scarborough East and was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Transportation and Communications. He would later also serve as the Parliamentary Assistant for Tourism and Recreation.
René Fontaine served as a long-time councillor and mayor in Hearst, Ontario. In 1985, he ran in the riding of Cochrane North and was appointed the Minister of Northern Affairs and Mines. Later he became the Parliamentary Assistant for Tourism and Recreation.
December 8, 2025 at 5:03 PM
René Fontaine served as a long-time councillor and mayor in Hearst, Ontario. In 1985, he ran in the riding of Cochrane North and was appointed the Minister of Northern Affairs and Mines. Later he became the Parliamentary Assistant for Tourism and Recreation.
The Peterson Liberals changed the make-up of government by appointing women to important roles in Cabinet and the public service. At the time, only four women had served in Ontario’s Cabinet since Confederation. During the Peterson Years, eight women became ministers. #ThePetersonYears
December 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The Peterson Liberals changed the make-up of government by appointing women to important roles in Cabinet and the public service. At the time, only four women had served in Ontario’s Cabinet since Confederation. During the Peterson Years, eight women became ministers. #ThePetersonYears
On Person’s Day in 1985, Attorney General Ian Scott rose in the Legislature to announce that the Peterson Government would set up a $1 million fund to support court cases in defense of women’s rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
December 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
On Person’s Day in 1985, Attorney General Ian Scott rose in the Legislature to announce that the Peterson Government would set up a $1 million fund to support court cases in defense of women’s rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
A major focus of the Peterson Government was creating equal opportunity for women. The Government introduced legislation to secure equal pay for equal work, created the Pay Equity Tribunal, and introduced the Pensions Benefit Act, which helped protect women’s retirement income and survivor benefits.
December 1, 2025 at 5:56 PM
A major focus of the Peterson Government was creating equal opportunity for women. The Government introduced legislation to secure equal pay for equal work, created the Pay Equity Tribunal, and introduced the Pensions Benefit Act, which helped protect women’s retirement income and survivor benefits.
Murray Elston was first elected as the MPP for Huron-Bruce in 1981. He served as the Minister of Health, Chair of the Management Board and Minister of Financial Institutions. He briefly became Interim Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and served as Opposition House Leader for two years.
November 28, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Murray Elston was first elected as the MPP for Huron-Bruce in 1981. He served as the Minister of Health, Chair of the Management Board and Minister of Financial Institutions. He briefly became Interim Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and served as Opposition House Leader for two years.
John Eakins was first elected as the MPP for Victoria-Haliburton in 1975 after contesting elections in 1967 and 1971. He went on to become the Minister of Tourism and Recreation in 1985 and the Minister of Municipal Affairs in 1987.
November 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM
John Eakins was first elected as the MPP for Victoria-Haliburton in 1975 after contesting elections in 1967 and 1971. He went on to become the Minister of Tourism and Recreation in 1985 and the Minister of Municipal Affairs in 1987.
Alvin Curling was first elected to office in 1985 in the riding of Scarborough North. He was the second racialized person elected to the Ontario Legislature and the first Black Canadian to become a cabinet minister in Ontario. He was also elected the first Black Speaker of the Legislature.
November 26, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Alvin Curling was first elected to office in 1985 in the riding of Scarborough North. He was the second racialized person elected to the Ontario Legislature and the first Black Canadian to become a cabinet minister in Ontario. He was also elected the first Black Speaker of the Legislature.
Sean Conway was elected for the first time at 24 years-old, winning in the riding of Renfrew North in 1975. Sean would go on to serve as the Minister of Education, Minister of Government Services, Government House Leader, Minister of Mines, Skills Development, and Colleges and Universities.
November 25, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Sean Conway was elected for the first time at 24 years-old, winning in the riding of Renfrew North in 1975. Sean would go on to serve as the Minister of Education, Minister of Government Services, Government House Leader, Minister of Mines, Skills Development, and Colleges and Universities.
Shirley Collins served as the MPP for Wentworth East from 1987 to 1990. In office, she served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour and later as the Minister Responsible for People with Disabilities.
November 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Shirley Collins served as the MPP for Wentworth East from 1987 to 1990. In office, she served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour and later as the Minister Responsible for People with Disabilities.
The Peterson Government reformed and invested heavily in seniors’ care in Ontario, providing funding for home support services, expanding homemakers’ compensation, and injecting $200 million into nursing homes. By 1990, $2 billion had been earmarked to reform and bolster the long-term care system.
November 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The Peterson Government reformed and invested heavily in seniors’ care in Ontario, providing funding for home support services, expanding homemakers’ compensation, and injecting $200 million into nursing homes. By 1990, $2 billion had been earmarked to reform and bolster the long-term care system.
In June of 1986, Minister without Portfolio responsible for Senior Citizens’ Affairs, Ron Van Horne, introduced the government’s white paper on seniors’ care titled, “A New Agenda: Health and Social Services Strategies for Ontario's Seniors.”
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
In June of 1986, Minister without Portfolio responsible for Senior Citizens’ Affairs, Ron Van Horne, introduced the government’s white paper on seniors’ care titled, “A New Agenda: Health and Social Services Strategies for Ontario's Seniors.”
The 1980s marked the first time since the 1950s that the median age in Ontario rose, a trend that has continued ever since. To support seniors as they entered their golden years, the Peterson Government introduced measures to age in place, in the home and in the local community.
November 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The 1980s marked the first time since the 1950s that the median age in Ontario rose, a trend that has continued ever since. To support seniors as they entered their golden years, the Peterson Government introduced measures to age in place, in the home and in the local community.
Elinor Caplan was first elected to provincial office in 1985 as the MPP for Oriole. During the Peterson years, she served as Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet, Minister of Government Services, the Commissioner of the Board of Internal Economy, and Minister of Health. #ThePetersonYears
November 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Elinor Caplan was first elected to provincial office in 1985 as the MPP for Oriole. During the Peterson years, she served as Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet, Minister of Government Services, the Commissioner of the Board of Internal Economy, and Minister of Health. #ThePetersonYears
Jim Bradley was first elected as the MPP for St. Catharines in 1977. He went on to win 11 consecutive elections, earning the title “Dean of the Legislature” as one of Ontario’s longest-serving parliamentarians. In total, he spent an extraordinary 55 years in public service. #ThePetersonYears
November 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Jim Bradley was first elected as the MPP for St. Catharines in 1977. He went on to win 11 consecutive elections, earning the title “Dean of the Legislature” as one of Ontario’s longest-serving parliamentarians. In total, he spent an extraordinary 55 years in public service. #ThePetersonYears