Without Walls or Barriers: The Speeches of Premier David Peterson

by Arthur Milnes (Editor), Ryan Zade (Editor)

Overview

In June 1985, David Peterson was sworn in as the leader of Ontario’s first Liberal government in forty-two years. This collection of speeches explores the activist agenda the London, Ontario, lawyer pursued through his premiership, which sought to ensure all Ontarians were able to participate fully in provincial society. When Peterson was asked what he viewed as his most important accomplishment, he thought for a brief moment and then whispered with obvious emotion, “breaking down walls and barriers.” Through his speeches, readers can see Premier Peterson on the wider Canadian stage by addressing the economic challenges faced by the federation – most notably free trade – and by supporting the Meech Lake Accord, which was designed to bring Quebec into the constitutional family. His speeches also show him on the global stage, engaged in the challenges of the transformation of world politics and Canada’s trading relationship with the United States. By the time Peterson’s premiership had come to an end in 1990, the Berlin Wall had fallen, Europe was increasingly integrated, a fragmented Soviet Union was beginning to collapse, the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement was in full force and effect, and the age of globalization had begun. Through this selection of speeches, the editors also present insights into a range of other figures, from former premiers and Peterson’s political contemporaries to the British royal family. Particularly powerful tributes include Nelson Mandela’s first visit to Canada and Peterson’s eulogy for MPP Dalton McGuinty, Sr, the father of Ontario’s 24th premier. TVOntario’s Steve Paikin provides an in-depth introduction that puts the life and political times of Premier Peterson and his government in broader perspective.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781553395263
Publisher:	McGill-Queens University Press
Publication date:	08/15/2017
Series:	Queen's Policy Studies Series , #192
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	486 KB

About the Author

Arthur Milnes is a journalist and was a speechwriter for Prime Minister Stephen Harper from 2012 to 2014.

Ryan Zade has held research, policy, educational, and management positions in the public and non-profit sector.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xiii

Financial Contributors xv

Introduction: The David Peterson Years 1

David Peterson the Federalist 29

Premiers' Conference, ST. John's, Newfoundland, August 21, 1985 31

Native Business Summit Foundation Conference and Trade Show, Toronto, Ontario, June 24, 1986 33

First Ministers' Conference, Vancouver, BC, November 20, 1986 37

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Edmonton, Alberta, April 7, 1987 43

First Ministers' Conference on the Economy, Toronto, Ontario, November 26, 1987 50

First Ministers' Conference on the Economy, Ottawa, Ontario, November 9, 1989 58

David Peterson and the Meech Lake Accord 65

First Ministers' Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario, June 2, 1987 67

Rekindling the National Dream, Toronto, Obtario, November 6, 1989 70

Address to the Quebec City Chamber of Commerce, Quebec City, Quebec, February 5, 1990 78

Address to the Special Committee of the House of Commons to Study a Proposed Companion Resolution to the Meech Lake Accord, Ottawa, Ontario, May 5, 1990 84

Address to the Newfoundland Legislature, General Assembly of Newfoundland, St. John's Newfoundland, June 20, 1990 89

Address to the Legislature of Ontario on the Failure of the Meech Lake Accord, Queen's Park, June 25, 1990 103

Ontario and the World: 1985-1990 107

Consular Corps Luncheon, Toronto, Ontario, December 19, 1989 109

Address to the Americas Society, New York, New York, November 6, 1989 111

Canadian-American Pageant: 175th Anniversary of the War of 1812, Sackets Harbor, New York, July 18, 1987 117

Remarks to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan and the Canada-Japan Society, Okura Hotel, Tokyo, Japan, September 29, 1986 120

Pacific Rim Conference, Toronto, Ontario, December 1, 1987 124

Obtario: A Global Competitor, World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, January 29, 1988 130

Opening of Ontario House, London, England, February 3, 1988 137

Ontario: Canada's Dynamic Centre, Heidelberg, West Germany, February 5, 1988 139

Breaking Down Walls and Barriers: David Peterson as Policy Maker 143

Speech to the Ontario Legislature on the New Liberal Government's Legislative Program, Toronto, Ontario, July 2, 1985 145

Learning for Life: Education and Training in the '90s, Designs for a Changing World Conference, Toronto, Ontario, May 28, 1990 155

Canadian Mental Health Association, C. M. Hincks Award Dinner, Toronto, Ontario, May 3, 1988 160

Ontario Liberal Party Annual Meeting, Hamilton, Ontario, April 1, 1989 163

Conservation Council of Ontario's 35th Anniversary Dinner, Toronto, Ontario, October 22, 1986 169

Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, Toronto, Ontario, March 28, 1989 173

Archievements in Employment Equity Awards Dinner, Toronto, Ontario, October 8, 1985 176

Third Reading of the French Languages Services Act, Queen's Park, November 18, 1986 180

To a Meeting of Ontario Public Service Executives, Toronto, Ontario, March 5, 1986 182

Announcing the Honourable John Black Aird's Study into Conflict of Interest, Queen's Park, July 2, 1986 187

60th Anniversary for Ontario Separate School Trustees' Association, Toronto, Ontario, April 20, 1990 191

David Peterson the Politician 197

London Centre Nomination Meeting, London, Ontario, October 9, 1984 199

First Campaign Speech as Leader, Toronto, Ontario, March 25, 1985 201

Election Night, London, Ontario, May 2, 1985 204

Reply to the Speech from the Throne, Queen's Park, June 7, 1985 206

Swearing-in of the First Peterson Cabinet, Queen's Park Lawn, June 26, 1985 215

Ontario Liberal Party Heritage Dinner, Toronto, Ontario, May 14, 1986 217

Quetico Caucus Retreat, Atikokan, Ontario, September 8, 1988 222

In Defence of the "L" Word, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 15, 1989 226

1990 Election Call, Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario, July 30, 1990 233

Paying Tribute 237

Unveiling of the Portrait of Premier Frank Miller, Queen's Park, December 1, 1986 239

Unveiling of the Portrait of Premier Bill Davis, Queen's Park, October 19, 1989 240

Fundraiser with Premier Frank McKenna, London, Ontario, April 12, 1989 243

Federal Liberal Party Confederation Dinner Tribute to John Turner, Toronto, Obtario, November 1, 1989 245

Dinner for Michael Dukakis, Governor of Massachusetts, Toronto, Ontario, May 31, 1989 246

Welcome to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Queen's Park, July 6, 1989 250

Introducting Nelson Mandela, Toronto, Ontario, June 18, 1990 251

Eulogy for Dalton McGuinty, Sr., Ottawa, Ontario, March 20, 1990 252

Sources 255