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The Peterson Years

@petersonyears.bsky.social
17 followers 4 following 198 posts

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of one of the most activist governments in Ontario’s history.

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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Over the last year, we have celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Peterson Years. Today we’re pleased to announce there will be an official book that looks back at the government that changed Ontario. We’ll have more details to share soon. Keep an eye out for updates at thepetersonyears.ca.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
No 40 anniversary reminiscences is complete without reflecting on the impact of David Peterson. Read Chief of Staff and then Principal Secretary, Hershell Ezrin's first-hand account of the legacy of David Peterson’s leadership on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/reflection-o...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
David Peterson’s early election call led to the Liberal Party’s devastating defeat at the polls in 1990. The party lost 59 of its historic 95 seats and the Premier’s political career ended with the loss of his own riding. Read more on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/the-1990-que...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Despite the abrupt end to the Peterson years, the government enjoyed popularity with the electorate through much of its mandate. Andrew Parkin, Executive Director of the Environics Institute, reviews the polling history of the Peterson Liberals on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/polling-duri...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Last October, Queen's held its annual Kenneth MacGregor Lecture in the form of a fireside chat between former Ontario Premier David Peterson and former Globe and Mail national affairs columnist Jeffrey Simpson. Watch the video of the discussion on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/national-uni...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
When the Peterson Liberals formed government in 1985, they inherited a changing Crown-Indigenous relationship. Learn more about how the Crown-Indigenous relationship was reshaped during the Peterson years on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/reshaping-th...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
In 1984, driven by concern over the lack of racial representation in Ontario’s electoral politics, Trevor Wilson, a well-respected community leader, reached out to a diverse group of ethno-cultural community leaders to push for meaningful change. Learn more: thepetersonyears.ca/a-seat-at-th...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
The Peterson government tackled an unprecedented range of environmental issues. Read more about the Peterson government’s environmental contributions on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/the-changing...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Read former MPP Ron Kanter's first-hand account on our website of how his landmark report on protecting GTA greenspace led to the creation of the Greenbelt under the McGuinty government: thepetersonyears.ca/protecting-t...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Learn more about the implementation of the anti-drug strategy from Chair Ken Black’s Special Assistant on the Strategy, Beth Boswell, on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/part-two-fro...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
In August, 1998, the premier asked Ken Black, MPP for Muskoka-Georgian Bay, to conduct a task force on substance abuse. Learn more about the findings and recommendations of the task force on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/part-two-fro...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
One of the more contentious issues in the 1987 election was the rising cost of automobile insurance. The Liberal plan would become the Ontario Motorist Protection Plan. Learn more about the creation of no-fault insurance in Ontario on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/ontario-moto...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
In 1989, Ontario Solicitor General, Steven Offer, introduced new legislation dedicated to the provision of safe and secure communities. Read Steven’s recollections on this important time in Ontario’s history on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/modernizing-...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
On May 19, 1989, Minister of Community and Social Services John Sweeney announced a $415 million overhaul of the province’s social assistance system. Learn more about the Peterson Government’s historic social assistance review on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/modernizing-...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
In the fall of 1987, the Peterson Government established the Premier’s Council on Health Strategy (PCHS) to chart a bold, new direction for health and health care in Ontario. Learn more about the formation and work of the Council on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/reimagining-...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
The Peterson Liberals entered office with an ambitious agenda to set young people up for success in a rapidly changing world through strong public education. Learn more about the Peterson era education reforms on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/a-world-clas...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The Peterson Government viewed child care and early childhood education as one of the most pressing social and economic issues facing Ontario families and began to overhaul the system. Learn more about the Peterson Government’s childcare reforms on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/expanding-ch...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Sean Conway was tasked with extending public school funding to all grades of the separate school system. In a video on our website, he reflects on the constitutional history and national politics that led to that moment. Watch the video: thepetersonyears.ca/sean-conway-...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
While a common practice today, Sunday shopping was one of the most difficult issues the Peterson government faced. Attempts to revise the Retail Business Holidays Act (RBHA) eventually reached the Supreme Court of Canada. Learn more: thepetersonyears.ca/the-battle-o...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
The Peterson Government saw youth unemployment not only as a critical political and societal issue but also as an opportunity to bring a new approach to public policy design. Learn more about the transformative Ontario Futures Program on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/the-ontario-...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
As Premier, David Peterson decided that Ontario needed a new economic strategy to position it as a competitive force in an increasingly global economy. Learn more about the creation of the Premier’s Council on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/competing-in...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
The Peterson helped the public better understand how their government works. Learn more about Peterson Era changes to the Legislature on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/making-a-mor...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
In his first address as Premier, Peterson pledged “a government without walls, without barriers.” Learn more about how the Peterson Liberals brought government closer to the people it serves by visiting our website: thepetersonyears.ca/opening-the-...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
The seven-week period between the May 2, 1985 provincial election and the swearing-in on June 26 of the first Liberal government in over 42 years was packed with political hurdles. Learn more about the Peterson transition on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/making-the-t...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
With no clear majority, the results of the 1985 provincial election created a rare and dramatic opportunity for a political realignment in Ontario. In the days after the election, discussions between senior Liberal and NDP members began to explore the possibility of cooperation.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
In October 1984, Premier Bill Davis announced his resignation, setting off a chain of events that would lead to David Peterson becoming Ontario’s 20th Premier. Learn more about the path to the Peterson Years on our website: thepetersonyears.ca/1985-politic...
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
The 1980s saw dramatic political change in Ontario, with the rise of a new political juggernaut in the Peterson Liberals. The Peterson Years tells that story, in the words of those who were there. Join us in looking back by visiting our website: thepetersonyears.ca
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
In the 1986 Speech from the Throne, the Peterson Government announced the creation of a project to expand the use of new technologies to deliver distance education to remote communities. It would later be known as Contact North or Contact Nord.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
In the 1980s, the Peterson Liberals established the Northern Development Fund, a $100 million fund dedicated to Northern communities. They also created the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, committing a further $30 million per year over 12 years to address high unemployment.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
The Peterson Government created a targeted development fund for Northern Ontario, provided Northern residents with financial aid for medical travel, expanded the Contact North electronic distance education network, and increased banking services in the North to further expand opportunity.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Bill Wrye was first elected as the MPP for Windsor-Sandwich in 1981 after serving as a producer for CBC Television. He was appointed the Minister of Labour and later Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Elected in 1987, Bob Wong became the first Canadian of Chinese descent elected as an MPP and appointed to Cabinet anywhere in Canada. He stated at the time, “I have always believed that diversity helps to build better governments, organizations, and a better country.”
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Mavis Wilson served as a school trustee in Dufferin County before becoming the MPP for Dufferin-Peel in 1987. She was quickly appointed the Minister Responsible for Senior Citizens’ Affairs and later the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Chris Ward began his political career as a councillor and mayor. As an MPP, he was named Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health, the Attorney General, and the Minister of Education.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
The Peterson Liberals recognized Ontario’s pluralistic character as the province’s best asset in an increasingly globalized economy. To support the province’s diverse workforce and compete in the global economy, they established the Premier’s Council Technology Fund and Centres of Excellence.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
An important priority of the Peterson Liberals was to demonstrate sensitivity to Ontario’s pluralistic, multiracial, and multicultural character. The government pursued this by reforming race relations and modernizing policing in the province.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
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.
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The Peterson Years @petersonyears.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
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.
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