Category / Elections / Governing / Health care / Legacy / Social policy
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Paving the Road to Long-Term Care Reform in Ontario: A Retrospective (Part 1)
A Canadian first: the appointment of a minister for seniors Premier David Peterson’s inaugural cabinet marked a watershed moment in Canadian social policy. By appointing the Honourable Ron Van Horne (MPP, London…
May 20, 2026 -
Paving the Road to Long-Term Care Reform in Ontario: A Retrospective (Part 2)
The Broader Policy Context In the first year of their second mandate, the Ontario Liberal government received three pivotal healthcare reports from the Ontario Health Review Panel (Chaired by Dr. John Evans),…
May 20, 2026 -
Expanding Child Care for Families
The needs of families changed significantly by the 1980s. Rising divorce rates, more women entering the workforce, and many families relying on two incomes all put pressure on existing child care options.…
May 6, 2026 -
Part One: 1988 Report of the Task Force on Illegal Drug Use in Ontario
In May, 1988, 15-year-old Benji Hayward attended a rock concert in downtown Toronto. While there, he took two LSD “blotters” and a cannabis joint. Throughout the concert, Benji reportedly became hyper and…
February 25, 2026 -
Part Two: From Task Force to Action: Executing Ontario’s Anti‑Drug Strategy
Ontario’s anti‑drug strategy emerged during a moment of intense public concern and political pressure. In the late 1980s, as noted in the previous article by Peggy Sweeney, the province was shaken by…
February 23, 2026 -
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Reimagining Health in Ontario: The Legacy of the Premier’s Council on Health Strategy
Setting the Stage: A New Vision for Health in Ontario – In the fall of 1987, Premier David Peterson’s Liberal government established the Premier’s Council on Health Strategy (PCHS) to chart a bold, new…
September 30, 2025