Ontario Politics Exam

Sid Noel’s ‘operative norms’ of Ontario politics

• The imperative pursuit of economic success

• The assumption of pre-eminence in Confederation

• The requirement of managerial efficiency

• The expectation of reciprocity

• The balancing of interests (groups, areas, priorities)

These norms underpin Ontario’s tradition of pragmatic management

Progressive Conservative Dynasty

• PC’s in power from 1943 to 1985

• Led by George Drew (1943-1948), Leslie Frost (1949-1961), John Roberts (1961-1971), and Bill Davis (1971-1985)

• Characterized by smooth leadership transitions, generational renewal, and a focus on management over ideology

Ontario’s Durable Party System

Refers to Ontario’s history of only 3 political parties gaining power in its history (NDP, Liberal, and PCs)

Pragmatic Management and Managerial Efficiency

A central pillar of Ontario’s political identity. Success is measured by how efficiently a premier runs the business of the province. It prioritizes competence and stability over “flashy” or polarizing politics.

1985 Accord and the Peterson Liberals

A formal two-year agreement between David Peterson’s Liberals and Bob Rae’s NDP to oust the PC minority government. This ended the 42-Year PC Dynasty and led to a period of activist government and social policy reform (pay equity and an end to extra billing by doctors) before the Liberals won a massive majority in 1987

1990 Rae Government

The first and only NDP government in Ontario’s history, led by Bob Rae. Rae was elected during a massive economic recession, and while they attempted progressive reforms (auto insurance reform, which eventually failed), they are most remembered for Rae Days, breaking collective bargaining agreements, and excessive spending.

The Social Contract

1993 legislation by the Rae NDP government to tackle the provincial deficit without massive layoffs. It mandated unpaid leave for public sector workers (Rae Days), which caused a historic rift between the NDP and organized labour that took decades to heal (still is healing in some ways)

1995 Harris Government

The PC government that ended the NDP era. Represented a sharp right-turn in Ontario politics, moving away from pragmatic management towards a more aggressive, conviction-based ideological agenda.

The Common Sense Revolution

The PC campaign platform in 1994-95. Built on the following pillars:

• Cut government spending 11%

• Protect health, education, and law enforcement

• Reduce welfare and add work requirements

• Cut income tax by 30%

• Balance the budget in 5 years

McGuinty and Wynne Government

The Liberal era (2003-2018) that followed the Harris era. Focused on rebuilding public services (education and healthcare) after Common Sense Revolution cuts. McGuinty focused on being the ‘education premier’ while Kathleen Wynne moved the party further left on social issues (minimum wage and the Green Energy Act)

Functions of the Legislature

• Representation: Acting as the voice for constituents

• Legislation: The formal process of debating and passing provincial laws

• Scrutiny: Holding the Premier and Cabinet accountable through tools like Question Period and Standing Committees.

McDowell’s Legislative Eras

• Classical Era (1867-1967)

  • Government dominated

  • Weak MPPs

  • The legislature was in session according to the rhythm of rural life (between ploughing in the fall and seeding in the spring)

• Reformist Era (1961-1992)

  • Support for members

  • Greater role for the opposition

  • Opposition began to take its role as a counterweight to executive power

  • The 1985 Accord symbolized a new, competitive dynamic and Queen’s Park in which all three parties held a realistic chance of forming government

Dominant Premiers

The trend of political power concentrating in the hands of the Premier rather than the Cabinet or Legislature. Figures like Bill Davis, Mike Harris, and Doug Ford exemplify this, where the Premier’s personal brand and office control the policy agenda and communication.

Populism and Executive Power

The use of ___ rhetoric to justify the expansion of the Premier’s authority. By claiming to speak directly to “the people,” a leader may justify bypassing traditional legislative norms, fast-tracking bills, or using tools like the Notwithstanding clause to override judicial and legislative checks.

Descriptive vs. Substantive Representation

• Descriptive: Does the Legislature look like the public (gender, race, and age demographics)

• Substantive: Does the legislature act for the public (do they actually pass policies that benefit women, minorities, or specific groups?)

Women’s Legislative Representation

The historical and current status of women in the Ontario Legislature. While numbers have increased to roughly one-third of MPPs, women still face systemic barriers. Ontario saw its first female Premier in 2013, but descriptive representation still lags behind the 50% mark of the general population.

Sacrificial Lamb and Glass Cliff Candidates

• Sacrificial Lamb: Nominating women in unwinnable ridings where the party expects to lose.

• Glass Cliff: Appointing women to leadership positions during a time of crisis or certain defeat (Kim Campbell federally or Kathleen Wynne’s final term) when the risk of failure is highest.

Bureaucratic Structures for Women’s Policy

Internal government bodies dedicated to gender-based policy analysis. Examples include the Ontario Women’s Directorate in 1982. These structures are designed to ensure a ‘gender lens’ is applied to provincial legislation, though their influence often fluctuates depending on the party in power.

Royal Proclamation of 1763

A foundational document issued by King George III following the Seven Years War. Often called in Indian Magna Carta, it legally recognized the Indigenous title to land and established that land could only be ceded to the Crown through formal treaties. It remains the legal bedrock for Indigenous land claims in Ontario today.

Ontario Women’s DIrectorate

Established in 1982 under the Bill Davis PCs. This was the primary body of gender-based policy for decades, and was meant to act as a watchdog within the government, reviewing other ministries’ work through a gendered lens. This was upgraded to a ministry under Kathleen Wynne, but subsequently folded into under a larger ministerial umbrella under Doug Ford.

Kathleen Wynne and Women’s/LGBT Issues

Wynne was the province’s first openly gay female premier. Wynne championed progressive social causes, like an overhaul of the provinces’ sex-ed curriculum, and the “It’s Never Okay” campaign: a $41-million action plan to combat sexual violence and harassment through public awareness ads and funding for crisis centres.

Ipperwash

A 1995 standoff at Ipperwash Provincial park involving the Stoney Point Ojibway and the OPP. Protesters occupied the park to reclaim land and protect a burial ground. It resulted in the death of unarmed protester Dudley George, and led to the creation of the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs.

Haldimand Tract

A parcel of land extending 6 miles of either side of the Grand River, granted to the Six Nations in 1784 for their loyalty to the British.

This is ground zero for major land claims. Much of the land was sold off by the Crown without proper consent. It is the historical root of current disputes in Southwestern Ontario.

Caledonia Blockade/Dispute

A major land dispute (peaking in 2006) over a housing development (Douglas Creek Estates) on the Haldimand Tract.

It became a symbol of the struggle between private property rights and Indigenous sovereignty. It sparked intense debate over two-tier policing, the idea that police treated Indigenous protestors differently than non-indigenous residents.

The Ring of Fire

A massive, mineral-rich region in the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario.

Seen as an economic ‘gold mine’ for minerals needed for EV batteries. However, development is complicated by the need for massive infrastructure (roads) and the requirement for Duty to Consult and consent from local First Nations.

Jordan’s Principle

A ‘child-first’ principle to resolve jurisdictional disputes between the federal and provincial governments.

If a First Nations child needs a service (healthcare/education), the government of first contact must pay for it immediately. They can argue about who ‘should’ have paid for it later. This prevents children from being denied care while governments bicker over the bill.

Division of Federal and Provincial Powers

The legal split of responsibilities defined in the Constitution Sections 91 and 92.

Ontario relies heavily on Section 92 (Property and Civil Rights), which gives the province authority over healthcare, education, and natural resources. Conflicts often arise when federal policies, like the Carbon Tax, overlap with provincial jurisdictions.

Heartland/Hinterland Staple Thesis

An economic theory suggesting Canada’s development is driven by the export of raw materials (staples)

In Ontario, the Heartland (The GTA and Golden Horseshoe) is the centre of political and financial power, while the Hinterland (Northern Ontario) provides the resources. This creates a power imbalance and a sense of economic extraction in the North.

Ontario in Confederation 1800s vs Today

The shift in Ontario’s power and identity within Canada.

Ontario was originally the Empire Province — dominant, wealthy, and the manager of the country. Today, it still sees itself as the stabilizer of Canada, but it has faced period as a have-not province, receiving equalization payments, after the 2008 manufacturing decline.

Constitutional Big Brother

A term for Ontario’s historical role as the defender of provincial rights.

Early Premiers like Oliver Mowat fought the federal government to ensure provinces had real power. Ontario often acts like an older brother, cooperating to keep the country together but fiercely protecting provincial autonomy when the federal government overreaches.

Balance Sheet Federalism

A view of federal-provincial relations based strictly on “who pays what.”

Ontario often complains about the fiscal gap, the fact that Ontarians pay more in federal taxes than the province receives back in transfers. It treats federalism like a ledger, demanding “fair share” for the services it provides to its massive population.

Ford and Federal Liberals

Refers to the complex and often contradictory relationship between Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau, and to some extent Mark Carney.

Despite ideological differences, they have moved between combat (the Carbon Tax) and cooperation (multi-billion dollar deals for EV battery plants and childcare). This is a modern example of executive federalism where pragmatism often overrides partisanship.

Queen’s Bush Settlement

A historical Black settlement in Southern Ontario (near present-day Waterloo County) established in the early 1800s.

It highlights the history of Black pioneers in Ontario who cleared land and built communities, only to be largely displaced when the government formally surveyed the land and favoured white settlers. It serves as a reminder of systemic barriers in Ontario’s early land policy.

Race as a Political Afterthought

Refers to the tendency in Ontario Politics to treat racial equity as a secondary issue or a special interest rather than a core policy driver.

This critique suggests that major political parties often focus on the average white voter, and only address racialized communities during election campaigns or in response to a specific crisis rather than integrating race into the initial design of economic or health policies.

Ford and Blind Race Framing

The Doug Ford government’s rhetorical strategy of focusing on “The People” or “taxpayers” without acknowledging racial differences.

By using race-blind language, the government reframes policies as being “for everyone equally.” Critics argue this ignores the reality that certain policies (like policing or housing) affect racialized Ontarians very differently than white Ontarians. Ford has also publicly denied that Canada, and by extension Ontario, has a deep history of systemic racism.

COVID and Race

The disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on racialized and immigrant communities in Ontario.

Data showed that neighbourhoods with high populations of essential workers and racialized residents (liek Northwest Toronto and Brampton) had significantly higher infection and death rates. This forced a public conversation about the social determinants of health and systemic inequality in the province.

Cyclical Politics of Extraction, Frustration, and Dependence

A theory explaining the relationship between Northern Ontario and the South.

The North provides resources (extraction), and feels ignored by Queens Park (frustration), but remains reliant on provincial transfers and infrastructure projects to survive (dependence). This cycle repeats as governments change but the power imbalance remains.

Northern Ontario Sociodemographic and Economic Trends

Northern Ontario as a unique data profile when compared to the GTA. Trends include an aging population, out-migration of youth to the South, and a high percentage of Indigenous residents. Economically, the region is shifting from traditional forestry/mining jobs toward service-based economies and emerging green-energy mining (The Ring of Fire).

Nuclear Waste Storage

The ongoing political and environmental debate over where to store Canada’s used nuclear fuel.

Several sites in Northern Ontario have been considered for deep geological repositories. This is a classic hinterland issue, where the North is asked to bear the environmental risk for power consumed largely by the South. Although it would create jobs in the North, those jobs come at the cost of being a dumping ground for Southern consumption.

Northern Ontario Party (NOP)

A minor provincial political party dedicated to the interests of Northern Ontario.

While they have never won a seat, their existence reflects the alienation of Northerners. Some members advocate for Northern Ontario to become its own province, arguing that Queen’s Park is too “Toronto-centric.” More moderate members simply argue for more consideration of Northern issues in the provincial legislature.

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Industries

The three sectors of Ontario’s economy.

• Primary: Resource extraction (mining, logging, farming)

• Secondary: Manufacturing (auto-plants and steel)

• Tertiary: Services (finance, tech, healthcare, education)