Legacy of Peterson Administration Continues to Echo After Four Decades

A blast from the past, thatApril in Canada, carrying a whiff of political change.

Recently, we wrapped up a significant federal election. But let's not forget another significant spring vote that took place in April, 1985, right here in Ontario, Canada's most populous province. This election challenged the status quo, shaped party politics, and spurred sweeping policy reforms and social advancements.

Frank Miller, the Progressive Conservative Premier, had held Ontario in his grip for a staggering 42 years. The odds seemed stacked in his favor, with his party boasting a 20-point lead in the polls ahead of the May 2 election. The Liberal Party, led by David Peterson, was viewed as a mere also-ran, with Peterson himself considered to be a relatively unknown and uninspiring candidate.

The scene began to shift with Peterson's youthful vigor and progressive vision resonating with the public. In contrast to the experienced Miller, who was often associated with his plaid jackets and folksy demeanor, Peterson's youthful energy and progressive ideas struck a chord with the electorate. As the electoral campaign unfolded, the Liberals were buoyed by Peterson's strong performances and a platform that promised progressive change.

Images of Peterson enjoying a Jamaican patty from Kensington Market or jogging through Windsor contrasted starkly with the Conservative Party's dull, low-energy approach. Miller declined to debate, opting instead to rally small crowds. Yet, few anticipated the groundbreaking results that were to unfold on May 2.

The Liberals captured the popular vote, securing 37.9% to the Progressive Conservatives' 37.2%, though the Conservatives still took 52 seats compared to the Liberals' 48. The New Democratic Party (NDP) trailed behind with 23.6% and 25 seats.

The Liberals and the NDP struck a deal, known as "an agenda for reform," which outlined key policy initiatives that a Liberal government would pursue, based on shared campaign planks. The Miller government subsequently lost a motion of confidence, paving the way for the Liberals to take power. On June 26, with the sun shining brightly on the Legislature's lawn, David Peterson was sworn in as the 20th Premier of Ontario.

Two years later, the Liberals would go on to secure a landslide victory, marking the largest majority government in Ontario's history. However, the good times were short-lived, as voters eventually turned their backs on Peterson in September 1990, prompting his resignation due to a self-serving early election call and an unsuccessful focus on the Meech Lake constitutional accord.

In the history of Ontario politics, the 1985 election is remembered for precipitating a lasting shift in party dynamics. Since then, we have witnessed 20 years of Liberal rule, 15 years of Conservative dominance, and five years of NDP governance.

During their five years in office, the Peterson Liberals spearheaded a number of pioneering initiatives. They introduced the province's first freedom of information and privacy protection legislation, banned extra billing by doctors, fostered the creative boom of "Hollywood North," and provided full funding to Catholic schools.

The Peterson government strongly supported workers and unions, implementing first-contract legislation, expanding workers' compensation, and reforming pensions. To foster innovation and economic growth, the government set up a Premier's Council with a $1-billion Technology Fund, created academic centres of excellence, and aggressively pushed for trade expansion to Asia and Europe to counterbalance federal free trade efforts with the United States.

Peterson and his Treasurer, Bob Nixon, brought in Ontario's first balanced budget in 20 years. Environmental Minister Jim Bradley led groundbreaking environmental reforms, such as the spills bill, the acid rain control program, the blue box, and air and water emission controls.

The Peterson government reflected the province's diversity, appointing the province's first black and first female Jewish ministers, Canada's first Chinese-Canadian minister, and the first Indigenous and South Asian deputy ministers. It expanded the number of women in senior public service roles, introduced human rights protections for sexual orientation, and established equal pay for work of equal value.

The government distributed the benefits of government beyond Toronto, moving over 1,200 permanent high-paying jobs to northern Ontario and relocating the headquarters of Agriculture and Food to Guelph. It did away with a pervasive patronage system that required party loyalty at every governmental level.

The legacy of the innovative period between 1985 and today continues to influence Ontario laws, rights, and policies. With diversity, equity, and inclusion coming under fire, the need for broadening trade and investing in research-driven innovation has become more critical than ever, particularly in the face of United States nationalist retrenchment. We have much to learn from the extraordinary five-year period that began 40 years ago this April.

Philip Dewan, partner and co-founder of Counsel Public Affairs Inc., former director of policy for Premier David Peterson, and co-editor of an upcoming book on the Peterson government from the University of Toronto Press, provides this account of the 1985 Ontario election.

Opinion articles are based on the author's interpretations and judgments of facts, data, and events.

More details on the 1985 Ontario election can be found in the enrichment data provided below:

Overall:

The 1985 Ontario election offered significant changes to Canadian provincial politics under the leadership of David Peterson and the Liberal Party. In terms of impact and key achievements, here are the highlights:

Government Formation: Although the Progressive Conservatives won more seats, the Liberals formed the government through a written agreement with the New Democratic Party (NDP) and defeating the Progressive Conservatives on a motion of confidence[1][3].
Policy Concessions: The 1985 Ontario government, a coalition between the Liberals and NDP, implemented collaborative policy concessions, leading to innovative legislation and political stability over the next two years[1][3].
Legislative Achievements: Specific legislative achievements during Peterson's tenure include the first freedom of information and protection of privacy legislation, banning extra billing by doctors, fostering the creative industries, providing full funding to Catholic schools, and several environmental reforms[4].

[1] "The Government of Ontario." Historica Canada. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/the-government-of-ontario

[2] "David Peterson." Archive Quebec. http://archivesquebec.ca/en/personne/6017/david-peterson

[3] "Election of 1985." Institute for Canadian Citizenship. https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/038.nsf/eng/00020.html

[4] "Legistive Achievements of the Peterson Government." Counsel Public Affairs Inc. https://counselpa.com/blog/archive/the-legislative-achievements-of-the-peterson-government-part-2/

The 1985 Ontario election marked a turning point in Canadian provincial politics, sparked by the leadership of David Peterson and his Liberal Party.
Despite the Progressive Conservatives winning more seats, the Liberals formed the government through a coalition with the New Democratic Party and defeating the Progressive Conservatives on a motion of confidence.
The innovative policies implemented by the coalition government, notably the first freedom of information and protection of privacy legislation, banning extra billing by doctors, and fostering the creative industries, contributed to its success.
In addition, the Peterson government provided full funding to Catholic schools and enacted several environmental reforms, such as the spills bill, acid rain control program, the blue box, air and water emission controls, and the ban on extra billing by doctors.
Support for workers and unions was a priority for the Peterson government, who implemented first-contract legislation, expanded workers’ compensation, and reformed pensions.
To foster innovation and economic growth, the government set up a Premier’s Council with a $1-billion Technology Fund, created academic centres of excellence, and aggressively pushed for trade expansion to Asia and Europe.
The turning point in Ontario politics had lasting effects, with the province witnessing 20 years of Liberal rule, 15 years of Conservative dominance, and five years of NDP governance following the 1985 election.