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The Executive Council of Ontario (informally, and more commonly, the Cabinet of Ontario) plays an important role in the Government of Ontario, in accordance with the Westminster system.

A council of ministers of the Crown chaired by the Premier of Ontario, the Executive Council, almost always made up of members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, advises the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario on how to exercise the executive functions of the Ontario Crown. The members of the council are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, on the advice of his or her Premier; though the Lieutenant Governor does not generally attend council meetings, directives issued by the viceroy on the advice of his or her ministers are said to be ordered by the Governor-in-Council. Ministers hold the honorific prefix "The Honourable" while members of the council.

The cabinet is thus similar in structure and role to the federal Queen's Privy Council for Canada, though smaller in size, and, whereas the federal cabinet is actually a committee of the Queen's Privy Council, the Executive Council of Ontario and Cabinet of Ontario are one and the same. Also unlike the Queen's Privy Council, members of the Ontario Executive Council are not appointed for life, and are not entitled to post nominal letters due to their position.

Most cabinet ministers are the head of a ministry, but this is not always the case. The Lieutenant Governor, advised by the Premier, determines which portfolios will be created. It is then up to the new minister to organize his or her department, and to present legislation for the new ministry if none exists. The most important Cabinet post after that of the Premier (who is officially known as President of the Executive Council) is Minister of Finance, followed by the health portfolio, which has a vast budget and is of central political import. Other powerful portfolios include Education and Energy.

[edit] Current cabinet

The Cabinet was changed on October 30, 2007 following the re-election of the Liberals in the general election earlier that month, June 20, 2008 and again on September 18, 2008.

[edit] Former Ministries

• Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (-2008)
• Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal (-2008)
• Ministry of Energy (-2008)
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (1994-2002)
• Ministry of Children's Services (10/2003 - 03/2004)
• Ministry of Citizenship (1987-1995; 2001-2003)
• Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation (1995-2001)
• Ministry of Colleges and Universities (1972-1993)
• Ministry of Community, Family and Children's Services (2002-2003)
• Ministry of Consumer and Business Services (2003-2005)
• Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations (1972-2001)
• Ministry of Correctional Services (1972-1993; 1999-2002)
• Ministry of Culture and Communications (1987-1993)
• Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation (1993-1995)
• Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism (1995-1999)
• Ministry of Education and Training (1993-1999)
• Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology (1997-2002)
• Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation (2002-2003)
• Ministry of Environment and Energy (1993-1997; 2002)
• Ministry of Financial Institutions (1986-1993)
• Ministry of Health (1972-1999)
• Ministry of Housing (1973-1981; 1985-1995)
• Ministry of Industry, Trade and Technology (1985-1993)
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs (1985-1995; 10/2003 - 03/2004)
• Ministry of Public Safety and Security (2002-2003)
• Ministry of Skills Development (1985-1993)
• Ministry of the Solicitor General (1972-1993; 1999-2002)
• Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services (1993-1999)
• Ministry of Tourism (1999-2001)
• Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (2001-2002)
• Ministry of Transportation and Communications (1971-1987)
• Ministry of Treasury and Economics (1978-1993)
• Provincial Secretary and Registrar of Ontario (from 1961 Provincial Secretary and Minister of Citizenship) (list) (1867-1975)

[edit] References

http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/team/default.asp

[edit] See also

• Order of precedence in Ontario

v • d • e Politics of Ontario Lieutenant Governor David Onley • Former Lieutenant Governors Premier Dalton McGuinty • List of premiers • List of premiers by time in office Opposition Leader Bob Runciman (interim leader) • Former Opposition Leaders Speaker of the Assembly Steve Peters • Former Speakers Legislature Current assembly • Former legislatures • Cabinet Political parties Liberals • Progressive Conservatives • New Democrats • List of political parties by time in office Elections Ontario general election, 2007 • Past elections • Ontario electoral districts Current issues Equalization payments • Ontario general election, 2007 Other Canadian politics Federal • BC • AB • SK • MB • ON • QC • NB • NS • PEI • NL • YU • NT • NU

v • d • e   Canadian executive councils Queen's Privy Council for Canada • Federal Cabinet Executive Councils of the Provinces and Territories: British Columbia | Alberta | Saskatchewan | Manitoba | Ontario | Quebec | New Brunswick | Nova Scotia | Prince Edward Island | Newfoundland & Labrador | Yukon | Northwest Territories | Nunavut