Draft:Harris ministry

  • Comment: This topic is definitely notable. However, there are zero sources citeed outside of the "List of ministers" section. See the help page WP:BACKWARD. Ca talk to me! 16:09, 21 November 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: Should be just about ready for mainspace. Would prefer secondary sources that cover any cabinet shuffles that happened during the Harris ministry, or sources outside of Queens Park that talk about the Harris ministry. It should be easy to find (TVO, The Star, G&M, The Citizen, CBC, CTV, Global, etc.) Bkissin (talk) 00:05, 21 November 2024 (UTC)

Harris ministry

22nd ministry of Ontario
Harris in 2014
Date formedJune 26, 1995 (1995-06-26)
Date dissolvedApril 14, 2002 (2002-04-14)
People and organisations
Monarch
Lieutenant Governor
PremierMike Harris
Deputy Premier
Member partyProgressive Conservative
Status in legislature
Opposition partyLiberal
Opposition leader
History
Election
Legislature term
Incoming formation1995 Ontario general election
Outgoing formation2002 PC Party leadership election
PredecessorRae ministry
SuccessorEves ministry

The Harris ministry was the combined cabinet (formally the Executive Council of Ontario) that governed Ontario from June 26, 1995, to April 14, 2002. It was lead by the 22nd premier of Ontario, Mike Harris. The ministry was made up of members of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (PC Party), which commanded a parliamentary majority.

The ministry replaced the Rae ministry following the 1995 Ontario general election. The ministry governed through the 36th Parliament of Ontario and the first several years of the 37th Parliament.

After Mike Harris resigned as Premier April 14, 2002, he was succeeded by PC Party colleague Ernie Eves.

History

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The Harris Cabinet is formed

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There were only nineteen cabinent members in the Harris ministry at first. Only five of them had any cabinet experience at all: Norm Sterling, who had accumulated the most experience, serving for over four years (1981-1985) under the two previous PC Party ministries, first under Premiers Bill Davis and then under Frank Miller; four more cabinet members (Premier Harris himself, Ernie Eves, Bob Runciman, and Noble Villeneuve) had each accumulated only four months' experience in Miller's brief ministry in 1985.

The highest profile portfolios were held by Ernie Eves (as Minister of Finance, Deputy Premier, and House Leader), David Johnson (as Chair of Management Board of Cabinet and House Leader), John Snobelen (as Minister of Education), Charles Harnick (as Attorney General), Jim Wilson (as Minister of Health), and 2002 PC Party leadership candidate Elizabeth Witmer (as Minister of Labour). Harris's only rival in the 1990 PC Party leadership contest, Dianne Cunningham, was named Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

There were two instances of ministerial portfolio reorganisation as Premier Harris took over from the Rae ministry:

Thus the nineteen cabinet members served in one of eighteen discrete portfolios (including the Premiership; there was also a minister without portfolio, Cam Jackson). Premier Harris did not serve in any other portfolio, nor would he for the duration of his ministry.

The number of ministers climbed to 20 with a minor shuffle August 16, 1996, which involved, among other changes, Janet Ecker joining cabinet as Minister of Community and Social Services (and the addition to cabinet of a second minister without portfolio, Rob Sampson). David Johnson also took over the duties of House Leader from Eves.

1997 Shuffle

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The first of three major cabinet shuffles occurred October 10 1997, a few months after the midterm point of the 36th Parliament.

Five new members joined cabinet, including 2002 PC Party leadership candidates Tony Clement (as Minister of Transportation) and John Flaherty (as Minister of Labour). Two established cabinet members were dismissed from minor portfolios.

Seven established cabinet members in total were involved in the shuffle, most notably Elizabeth Witmer, who took over as Minister of Health, and David Johnson, who took over as Minister of Education. Norm Sterling took over for Johnson as House Leader. Eleven established cabinet members were unaffected by the shuffle, including Premier Harris himself, and Ernie Eves remained as Minister of Finance.

There were two instances of ministerial portfolio reorganisation:

Hodgson also took on the cabinet level position of Chair of Management Board of Cabinet; this was the only instance of a member of the Harris cabinet holding two portfolios for the duration of the ministry. Thus, the cabinet swelled to 23 members (including now four ministers without portfolios, with the additions of Margaret Marland and David Turnbull), serving in twenty ministries (including the Premiership).

1999 Shuffle

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The second major shuffle occurred June 17, 1999, soon after the 1999 provincial election. The PC Party performed very well in this contest, achieving results similar to the 1995 provincial election, (they won about 45% of the popular vote in each contest) but returned with a much smaller caucus (shrinking from 82 PC Party MPPs to 59) in an extensively redistributed district map and a much smaller provincial parliament at Queen's Park. Isabel Bassett, Noble Villeneuve and David Johnson all went down to defeat at the polls, while Al Leach and Charles Harnick decided not to run. Thus, though no one was dismissed from the ministry, five vacancies opened up in the Harris ministry.

These vacancies were filled by the addition of seven new cabinet members, including 2002 PC Party leadership contender Chris Stockwell, 2004 and 2009 PC Party leadership contender Frank Klees, and 2009 PC Party leadership victor Tim Hudak; Stockwell was named Minister of Labour in the highest profile appointment among the seven rookies.

Thirteen established cabinet members swapped portfolios, including Jim Flaherty, who took over as Attorney General, and Janet Ecker, who took over as Minister of Education. Only five cabinet ministers were unaffected by the shuffle, including Premier Harris himself, John Snobelen, Jim Wilson, Margaret Marland, and, once again, Ernie Eves.

There were four instances of ministerial portfolio reorganisation:

Thus the number of cabinet ministers swelled in number to 25 (the number of ministers without portfolios dropping to two, Margaret Marland and Frank Klees), while the number of ministries (including the Premiership) grew to 23. No cabinet members helmed more than one portfolio.

2001 Shuffle

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The third and final shuffle occurred February 8, 2001, a few months before the midterm point of the 37th Parliament, triggered by the resignation of first Al Palladini as Minister of Economic Development and Trade, then of Ernie Eves as Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier. Eves was the only cabinet member besides Harris himself to still be in his original role in the ministry, having not yet been involved in a shuffle.

All told, four cabinet members left cabinet, while four new members joined, most notably David Young as Attorney General.

Twelve established cabinet members were involved in this shuffle, most notably Jim Flaherty (who took over the positions vacated by Eves as Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier), Bob Runciman (who took over for Palladini as Minister of Economic Development and Trade), and Tony Clement, (who moved into the position of Minister of Health and Long-Term Care). Janet Ecker took over duties as House Leader from Norm Sterling, who remained in the cabinet in a minor portfolio. Once again, John Snobelen and Jim Wilson were among the nine established cabinet members who remained at their incumbent portfolios.

There were four instances of ministerial portfolio reorganisation:

Thus the number of ministries (including the Premiership) swelled to 24, while the number of members of cabinet was steady at 25 (with only one remaining minister without portfolio, Frank Klees; he would be the final member to leave the Harris cabinet, July 31, 2001, to be replaced by the final new member, Gary Stewart, who filled the same role as Klees).

Summary

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Mike Harris resigned as Premier April 14, 2002. He was succeeded by Ernie Eves, who had prevailed in the Pc Party leadership election over Harris ministry colleagues Elizabeth Witmer, Tony Clement, Jim Flaherty, and Chris Stockwell.

37 people served in the Harris ministry, including eight cabinet members who served the entirety of the ministry's nearly seven year duration: Premier Harris himself, Dianne Cunningham, Chris Hodgson, Cam Jackson, John Snobelen, Norm Sterling, David Tsubouchi, and Elizabeth Witmer. All except Harris and Snobelen would go on to serve in the Eves ministry that succeeded the Harris ministry; in total, 24 former Harris ministers would serve under Eves.

Three cabinet members faced suspensions from their portfolios at one time or another: Jim Wilson at Ministry of Health (suspended December 9, 1996 - February 21, 1997), Bob Runciman at Solicitor General and Correction Services (suspended April 27 - July 27, 1998), and Rob Sampson at Ministry of Correctional Services (suspended December 5, 2000 - March 8, 2001) But for their suspensions, Runciman and Wilson also would have served in the Harris ministry for the entire duration. Runciman and Wilson would go on to serve under Eves, but Sampson would not.

Eight women served in the Harris ministry: Isabel Bassett, Dianne Cunningham, Janet Ecker, Brenda Elliott, Helen Johns, Margaret Marland, Marilyn Mushinski, and Elizabeth Witmer (although there were never more than five women in cabinet at a time). With the exception of David Tsubouchi (of Japanese-Canadian heritage), every cabinet member was White.

Other than Harris, three cabinet members served continuously in one portfolio for over four years: Ernie Eves served as Minister of Finance from June 26, 1995 to February 8, 2001; Jim Wilson and John Snobelen served as Minister of Energy, Science and Technology and Minister of Natural Resources respectively from October 10, 1997 to April 14, 2002.

Over the course of the Harris ministry the number of portfolios increased from 18 to 24.

List of ministers

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Harris Ministry by Leadership Position
Position Minister Tenure
Start End
Premier of Ontario Mike Harris[1] June 26, 1995 April 14, 2002
Deputy Premier of Ontario Ernie Eves[2] June 26, 1995 February 8, 2001
Jim Flaherty[3] February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
House Leader Ernie Eves June 26, 1995 August 16, 1996
David Johnson[4] August 16, 1996 October 10, 1997
Norm Sterling[5]
(36th Parliament)
October 10, 1997 May 5, 1999
Norm Sterling
(37th Parliament)
June 17, 1999 February 8, 2001
Janet Ecker[6] February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Deputy House Leader
Chris Hodgson[7] October 10, 1997 May 5, 1999
Chief Whip David Turnbull[8]
(as backbencher)
June 26, 1995 October 10, 1997
David Turnbull
(as cabinet member)
October 10, 1997 May 5, 1999
Frank Klees[9]
(as cabinet member)
June 17, 1999 June 30, 2001
Frank Klees
(as backbencher)
June 30, 2001 July 30, 2001
Gary Stewart[10] July 30, 2001 April 14, 2002
Harris Ministry by Portfolio (Alphabetical)
Portfolio Minister Tenure
Start End
Minister of Agriculture,
Food,
and Rural Affairs
Noble Villeneuve[11] June 26, 1995 June 17, 1999
Ernie Hardeman[12] June 17, 1999 February 7, 2001
Brian Coburn[13] February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Attorney General Charles Harnick[14] June 26, 1995 June 17, 1999
Jim Flaherty June 17, 1999 February 8, 2001
David Young[15] February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of Community
and Social Services
David Tsubouchi[16] June 26, 1995 August 16, 1996
Janet Ecker August 16, 1996 June 17, 1999
John Baird[17] June 17, 1999 April 14, 2002
Minister of Citizenship,
Culture
and Recreation
[a]
Marilyn Mushinski[18] June 26, 1995 October 10, 1997
Isabel Bassett[19] October 10, 1997 June 17, 1999
Helen Johns[20] June 17, 1999 February 8, 2001
Minister of Citizenship[b] Cam Jackson[21] February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of Consumer
and Business Services
[c]
Norm Sterling June 26, 1995 August 16, 1996
David Tsubouchi August 16, 1996 June 17, 1999
Bob Runciman[22] June 17, 1999 February 8, 2001
Norm Sterling February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of
Correctional Services
[d]
Rob Sampson[23] June 17, 1999 December 4, 2000
Norm Sterling
(interim)
December 5, 2000 March 8, 2001
Rob Sampson March 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of Culture,
Tourism
and Recreation
[e]
Tim Hudak[24] February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of Education[f] John Snobelen[25] June 26, 1995 October 10, 1997
David Johnson October 10, 1997 June 17, 1999
Janet Ecker June 17, 1999 April 14, 2002
Minister of
Economic Development
[g][h]
Bill Saunderson[26] June 26, 1995 October 10, 1997
Al Palladini[27] October 10, 1997 February 8, 2001
Bob Runciman February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of
the Environment
and Energy
[i]
Brenda Elliott[28] June 26, 1995 August 16, 1996
Norm Sterling August 16, 1996 October 10, 1997
Minister of Energy
Science
and Technology
[j]
Jim Wilson[29] October 10, 1997 April 14, 2002
Minister of the Environment[k] Norm Sterling October 10, 1997 June 17, 1999
Tony Clement[30] June 17, 1999 March 3, 2000
Dan Newman[31] March 3, 2000 February 8, 2001
Elizabeth Witmer[32] February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of Finance Ernie Eves June 26, 1995 February 8, 2001
Jim Flaherty February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of Health Jim Wilson June 26, 1995 December 9, 1996
David Johnson
interim
December 9, 1996 February 21, 1997
Jim Wilson February 21, 1997 October 10, 1997
Elizabeth Witmer October 10, 1997 June 17, 1999
merged with
Long-Term Care
June 17, 1999 April 14, 2002
Minister of Health
and Long-Term Care
[l]
Elizabeth Witmer June 17, 1999 February 8, 2001
Tony Clement February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Associate Minister
of Health
and Long-Term Care
[m]
Helen Johns February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs
Dianne Cunningham[33] June 26, 1995 June 17, 1999
Norm Sterling June 17, 1999 February 8,2001
Brenda Elliott February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of Labour Elizabeth Witmer June 26, 1995 October 10, 1997
Jim Flaherty October 10, 1997 June 17, 1999
Chris Stockwell[34] June, 17 1999 April 14, 2002
Minister of
Long-Term Care
[n]
Cam Jackson July 27, 1998 June 17, 1999
merged with
Health
June 17, 1999 April 14, 2002
Minister
of Municipal Affairs
and Housing
Al Leach[35] June 26, 1995 June 17, 1999
Steve Gilchrist[36] June 17, 1999 October 25, 1999
Tony Clement October 25, 1999 February 8, 2001
Chris Hodgson February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of
Natural Resources,
Northern Development
and Mines
[o]
Chris Hodgson June 26, 1995 October 10, 1997
Minister of
Natural Resources
[p]
John Snobelen October 10, 1997 April 14, 2002
Minister of
Northern Development
and Mines
[p]
Chris Hodgson October 10, 1997 June 2, 1999
Tim Hudak June 2, 1999 February 8, 2001
Dan Newman February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister Responsible
for Native Affairs
[q]
Charles Harnick June 26, 1995 June 17, 1999
Jim Flaherty June 17, 1999 February 8, 2001
David Young February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister Responsible
for Children
John Baird February 8 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister Responsible
for Francophone Affairs
Noble Villeneuve June 26, 1995 June 17, 1999
John Baird June 17, 1999 April 14, 2002
Minister Responsible
for Seniors
Cam Jackson February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister Responsible
for Women's Issues
Dianne Cunningham June 26, 1995 June 17, 1999
Helen Johns June 17, 1999 February 8, 2001
Dianne Cunningham February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of Tourism[r]
Cam Jackson June 17, 1999 February 8, 2001
merged into
Culture, Tourism
and Recreation
February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of Transportation Al Palladini June 26, 1995 October 10, 1997
Tony Clement October 10, 1997 June 17, 1999
David Turnbull June 17, 1999 February 8, 2001
Brad Clark[37] February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Minister of Training,
Colleges and Universities
[s]
Dianne Cunningham June 17, 1999 April 14, 2002
Ministers Without Portfolio Cam Jackson June 26, 1995 July 27, 1998
Rob Sampson August 16, 1996 June 17, 1999
Margaret Marland[38] October 10, 1997 February 8, 2001
David Turnbull October 10, 1997 June 17, 1999
Frank Klees June 17, 1999 June 30, 2001
Gary Stewart July 31, 2001 April 14, 2002
Solicitor General
and Minister
of Correctional Services
[t]
Bob Runciman June 26, 1995 April 27, 1998
Jim Flaherty
(interim)
April 27, 1998 July 27, 1998
Bob Runciman July 27, 1998 June 17, 1999
Solicitor General[u] David Tsubouchi June 17, 1999 February 8, 2001
David Turnbull February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002
Chair of the
Management Board
of Cabinet
David Johnson June 26, 1995 October 10, 1997
Chris Hodgson October 10, 1997 February 8, 2001
David Tsubouchi February 8, 2001 April 14, 2002

Notes

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  1. ^ reorganized into "Ministry of Citizenship" and "Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation" February 8, 2001
  2. ^ created from "Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation" February 8, 2001.
  3. ^ named "Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations" from June 26, 1995 to February 8, 2001.
  4. ^ created from "Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services" June 17, 1999.
  5. ^ created from "Ministry of Tourism" and "Ministry of Citizenship, Culture, and Recreation February 8, 2001.
  6. ^ named "Minister of Education and Training" from June 26, 1995 to June 17, 1999.
  7. ^ named "Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism" from June 26, 1995 to June 17, 1999.
  8. ^ named "Ministry of Economic Development and Trade" from June 17, 1999 to April 14, 2002.
  9. ^ divided into "Ministry of Environment" and "Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology" October 10, 1997.
  10. ^ created from "Ministry of the Environment and Energy" October 10, 1997.
  11. ^ created from "Ministry of the Environment and Energy" October 10, 1997.
  12. ^ created from "Ministry of Health" and "Ministry of Long-Term Care" June 17, 1999.
  13. ^ created February 8, 2001.
  14. ^ created July 27, 1998.
  15. ^ divided into "Ministry of Natural Resources" and "Ministry of Northern Development and Mines" October 10, 1997.
  16. ^ a b created from "Ministry of Natural Resources and Northern Development and Mines" October 10, 1997.
  17. ^ also "Attorney General."
  18. ^ created from "Ministry of Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism." June 17, 1999.
  19. ^ created from "Ministry of Education and Training" June 17, 1999.
  20. ^ divided into "Solicitor General" and "Minister of Correctional Services" June 17, 1999.
  21. ^ created from "Solicitor General and Ministry of Correctional Services" June 17, 1999.

References

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  1. ^ "Michael Harris | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". March 19, 1981.
  2. ^ "Ernie Eves | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". May 2, 2002.
  3. ^ "Jim Flaherty | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  4. ^ "David John Johnson | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". April 1993.
  5. ^ "Norman W. Sterling | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 9, 1977.
  6. ^ "Janet Ecker | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  7. ^ "Chris Hodgson | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". March 17, 1994.
  8. ^ "David Turnbull | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". September 6, 1990.
  9. ^ "Frank Klees | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  10. ^ "Gary Stewart | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  11. ^ "Noble Villeneuve | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". December 15, 1983.
  12. ^ "Ernie Hardeman | Legislative Assembly of Ontario".
  13. ^ "Brian Coburn | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 3, 1999.
  14. ^ "Charles Harnick | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". September 6, 1990.
  15. ^ "David Young | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 3, 1999.
  16. ^ "David H. Tsubouchi | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  17. ^ "John R. Baird | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  18. ^ "Marilyn Mushinski | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  19. ^ "Isabel Bassett | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  20. ^ "Helen Johns | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  21. ^ "Cameron Jackson | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". May 2, 1985.
  22. ^ "Robert W. Runciman | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". March 19, 1981.
  23. ^ "Rob Sampson | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  24. ^ "Tim Hudak | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  25. ^ "John Snobelen | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  26. ^ "Brian Saunderson | Legislative Assembly of Ontario".
  27. ^ "Al Palladini | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  28. ^ "Christine Elliott | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 7, 2018.
  29. ^ "Jim Wilson | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". September 6, 1990.
  30. ^ "Tony Clement | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  31. ^ "Dan Newman | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  32. ^ "Elizabeth Witmer | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". September 6, 1990.
  33. ^ "Dianne Cunningham | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". March 31, 1988.
  34. ^ "Chris Stockwell | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". September 6, 1990.
  35. ^ "Allan F. Leach | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  36. ^ "Steve Gilchrist | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 8, 1995.
  37. ^ "Brad Clark | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". June 3, 1999.
  38. ^ "Margaret Marland | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". May 2, 1985.