Government of Ontario

Branding image of the Government of Ontario, since 2007

The previous wordmark of the Government of Ontario, from 1964 until 2007

The Government of 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" referred broadly to the cabinet of the day, elected from the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and the non-political staff within each provincial department or agency – that is, the civil service. 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 the government.

Due to the location of the Ontario Legislature on the grounds of Queen's Park, the Ontario government is frequently referred to by the metonym "Queen's Park".

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^[1]

Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario

Further information: Monarchy in 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 executive powers in the province lies with the Premier of Ontario and the cabinet.

Legislative powers

The legislative powers in the provinces lies in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The Premier and the cabinet are also members of the legislature.

Budget

For the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the Ontario government plans to spend C$129,000,000,000, including a deficit of C$19,000,000,000.^[2]

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. ^ "Reasons for Selection, 2009 Canada's Top 100 Employers and 2009 Canada's Best Diversity Employers Competitions". http://www.eluta.ca/top-employer-ontario-public-service. 
2. ^ Ontario Ministry of Finance. "2010 Ontario Budget: Chapter II: Ontario’s Economic Outlook and Fiscal Plan". http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ontariobudgets/2010/ch2a.html#c2_secA_table1. Retrieved 2010-06-13. 

External links

• Government of Ontario official website