Government of Ontario

Government of Ontario
Gouvernement de l'Ontario (French)

Wordmark
Formation	1867
Country	Canada
Website	ontario.ca
Legislative branch
Legislature	Legislative Assembly
Meeting place	Legislative Building
Executive branch
Main body	Executive Council
Head of Government	Premier
Viceregal Representative	Lieutenant Governor
Meeting place	Whitney Block
Judicial branch
Court	Superior Court of Justice
Seat	Toronto

The Government of Ontario (French: Gouvernement de l'Ontario) refers to the provincial government of the province of Ontario, Canada. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867.

In modern Canadian use the term "government" refers broadly to the cabinet (formally the Executive Council of Ontario) of the day, selected from members the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and to the non-political civil service staff within each provincial department or agency. The civil service that manages and delivers government policies, programs, and services is called the Ontario Public Service.

The province of Ontario is governed by a unicameral legislature, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, which operates in the Westminster system of government. The political party that wins the largest number of seats in the legislature normally forms the government, and the party's leader becomes premier of the province, i.e., the head of government.

Due to the location of the Ontario Legislative Building on the grounds of Queen's Park, the Ontario government is frequently referred to by the metonym "Queen's Park".^[1]

Awards and recognition

The Ontario Public Service was named one of "Canada's Top 100 Employers" by Maclean's newsmagazine in 2009, and again in 2010. The Ontario Public Service was also named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by the Toronto Star in 2009, and was named one of "Canada's Best Diversity Employers" in 2009 by Bank of Montreal^[2]

Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario

The functions of the Sovereign, Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, and known in Ontario as the Queen in Right of Ontario, are exercised by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General of Canada on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Canada, in consultation with the Premier of Ontario.

Executive powers

The Ontario Government Buildings, in downtown Toronto, contain the head offices of several provincial ministries.

The executive powers in the province lie with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, but these are practiced almost always on the advice of the Premier of Ontario and the rest of the Executive Council of Ontario (Cabinet).

Legislative powers

The Ontario Legislative Building is the seat of the Legislative Assembly.

The legislative powers in the province lie with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The premier and other ministers in the Cabinet are also members of, and responsible to, the legislature.

Budget

For the 2013-2014 fiscal year, the Ontario government planned to spend CA$127.6 billion, including a deficit of CA$11.7 billion.^[3]

Debt

As of March 31, 2014 the total Ontario debt stood at $295.80 billion.^[4]

See also

• Politics of Ontario
• Ontario general election, 2007
• Cabinet of Ontario
• Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario
• Ontario Public Service Employees Union

References

1. "Legacy of a People's Park". Education Portal. Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
2. "Reasons for Selection, 2009 Canada's Top 100 Employers and 2009 Canada's Best Diversity Employers Competitions".
3. "2013 Ontario Budget" (PDF). www.ofina.on.ca. Ontario Financing Authority. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
4. "Ontario 2014 Budget" (PDF). www.ofina.on.ca. Ontario Financing Authority. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014. line feed character in |publisher= at position 8 (help)

External links

• Government of Ontario official website