Premier's Gallery

John Sandfield Macdonald

(1867-1871)

Ontario's first Premier following Confederation.
Set up registration facilities for births, marriages and deaths.
Introduced important reforms, including:
making sure elections were held in one day, instead of over a long period
establishing the modern high school system.

Edward Blake

(1871-1872)

Former Member of Parliament, federal Cabinet Minister and leader of the federal Liberal Party.

Sir Oliver Mowat

(1872-1896)

Longest serving Premier in Ontario.
Fought for provincial rights.
Passed laws for a strong education system, a clean water system and the Children's Aid Society.
Presided over the opening of the legislative building in 1893.

Arthur Sturgis Hardy

(1896-1899)

Created Algonquin Provincial Park.
Worked as a lawyer and city solicitor for Brantford.

Sir George William Ross

(1899-1905)

As Minister of Education in Sir Oliver Mowat's government, he pioneered many education reforms and created the public library system.
As Premier, he was responsible for a series of social and labour initiatives.

Sir James P. Whitney

(1905-1914)

Helped develop Northern Ontario.
Founded the public hydro system and introduced the Workmen's Compensation Act.
Introduced laws about agriculture and education.

Sir William Howard Hearst

(1914-1919)

Supported the WWI war effort (conscription).
Gave women the right to vote in 1917, in recognition of their contribution to the war effort.
Endorsed Prohibition, banning the making and selling of alcohol.

Ernest Charles Drury

(1919-1923)

Co-founder and first president of the United Farmers of Ontario party.
In 1934, was appointed sheriff and registrar of Simcoe County and wrote a number of local history books.

G. Howard Ferguson

(1923-1930)

Developed Ontario's highways.
Established the Department of Public Welfare and the Liquor Control Board.
Encouraged rapid development of health facilities and created first old age pension in Ontario.

George S. Henry

(1930-1934)

Dedicated to building good roads.
Gave Ontario its first highway system.
Balanced the province's budget and reduced spending.

Mitchell F. Hepburn

(1934-1942)

The youngest-ever Premier at age 38.
Made pasteurization of milk compulsory.
Put into practice popular, money-saving measures such as getting rid of government limousines and closing the Lieutenant-Governor's residence.

Gordon Daniel Conant

(1942-1943)

Attorney General in Mitchell Hepburn's government.
Hand-picked by Hepburn to continue as Premier after Hepburn resigned in 1942.

Harry Corwin Nixon

(1943)

A farmer from Brant before joining politics.
Previously a member of the United Farmers of Ontario party and a minister in Premier Drury's cabinet in 1919.
Served as an MPP for 42 years.

George A. Drew

(1943-1948)

Passed progressive labour and social laws, including a new labour code and the first anti-discrimination legislation in Canada.
Also served as Minister of Education before becoming Premier.
First Chairman of the Ontario Securities Commission.

Thomas L. Kennedy

(1948-1949)

Former Minister of Agriculture for 14 years.
Became Premier when George Drew stepped down to become the national leader of the Progressive Conservatives.

Leslie M. Frost

(1949-1961)

Developed the Ontario Hospital Insurance Program (OHIP).
Greatly expanded hospitals, schools and highways.
Developed equal pay for women.

John P. Robarts

(1961-1971)

Advocate of individual rights and Canadian unity.
Defended provincial rights against federalism.
During his time as Premier, unemployment rates were the lowest in Canada and Ontario's rate of economic expansion was one of the highest in the world.

William G. Davis

(1971-1985)

During his time as Minister of Education from 1962 to 1971, Davis transformed education in the province.
In his time as Premier, Davis introduced new legislation to strengthen medicare, public transit, mental health programs and protection of the environment.
In 1985, he was named a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Frank Miller

(February 1985-June 1985)

Before entering politics, Miller worked as a car salesman, a chemical engineer and a teacher in Bracebridge.
Served as Minister of Health, Minister of Natural Resources and as Treasurer before becoming Premier.
Became chairman of the District Municipality of Muskoka and the Algoma Central Corporation in 1992.

David Peterson

(1985-1990)

Born in Toronto in 1943.
First elected to the legislature in 1975.
Became Leader of the Opposition in 1982.
In 1994, the government of France appointed him a Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honour.
Founding Chairman of Toronto Raptors Basketball Club.
Currently Chairman of Cassels, Brock and Blackwell law firm.

Robert K. Rae

(1990-1995)

Born in Ottawa in 1948.
Led provincial New Democratic Party from 1982-1996 -- first NDP Premier.
Member of Parliament (federal government) from 1978-1982.
Author of two books -- From Protest to Power and The Three Questions.

Michael D. (Mike) Harris

(1995-2002)

Born in North Bay in 1945.
Led provincial Progessive Conservative Party from 1990-2002.
Served as Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Energy before becoming Premier.
Elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1981 as MPP for Nipissing.

Ernie Eves

(2002-2003)

Progressive Conservative April 2002 to October 2003.
Minister of Finance from 1995 to 2001.
First elected M.P.P. for Parry Sound in 1981.
Honoured for his work on behalf of children with cystic fibrosis and children with learning disabilities.

Dalton McGuinty

(2003-Present)

Born on July 19, 1955, and raised in Ottawa's Alta Vista neighbourhood.
Has a law degree from the University of Ottawa and a science degree from McMaster University in Hamilton.
Dalton and his wife Terri have four children.

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