Legislative Assembly of Ontario : Interesting Facts, Information & Travel Guide

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is the legislative branch of the Government of Ontario in Canada, located in the provincial capital of Toronto. It is composed of 111 members elected from the 107 constituencies across Ontario. Founded in 1792, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario is the oldest continuous parliamentary institution in the country. In addition to its legislative role, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario also serves as the cultural and educational centre of Ontario politics. This blog post will provide you with interesting facts and information about the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, as well as a travel guide on how to visit the Assembly and its buildings.

Interesting Facts About Legislative Assembly of Ontario

1. The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is one of the oldest continuously operating legislative assemblies in North America. It was formed in 1792, making it 11 years older than the United States Congress.

2. The current parliamentary building, Queen’s Park, is the fourth location of the Ontario legislative assembly. The past three locations were the old Parliament Building, the York Buildings and the Government House.

3. In 2006, the Ontario legislative assembly became the first legislature to allow electronic voting.

4. The most recent speaker of the Legislative Assembly was Dave Levac, who served from 2011 until 2018.

5. The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is divided into three caucuses, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, the Ontario New Democratic Party and the Ontario Liberal Party.

6. The Legislative Assembly of Ontario has a set of maces, which are carried by members of the Sergeant-at-Arms. The current maces were designed in 1902 and 2003.

7. The Legislative Assembly of Ontario has a Sergeant-at-Arms, who is responsible for maintaining the order of the House.

8. During its history, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario has seen 8 prorogations, many of which have lasted only a few weeks. The longest prorogation the body has ever experienced was 4 months and 4 days.

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History & Information About Legislative Assembly of Ontario

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario, commonly known as the Ontario Legislature, is the governing and deliberative assembly of the Canadian province of Ontario. It is located at Queen’s Park in the provincial capital of Toronto. The assembly meets to consider the passage of laws and other legislative business, and the Assembly’s committees are actively involved in the legislative process.

The current Legislative Assembly was summoned by the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Ontario, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, on February 17, 2021.

Its membership of 124 consists of:

• The Premier of Ontario;

• The Leader of the Opposition, and the legislature’s other main parties’ leaders;

• 81 members representing geographic ridings (MPPs);

• 21 members appointed by the government, and

• 21 members representing Indigenous communities (Indigenous MSDCs).

The Ontario Legislative Assembly is one of the world’s oldest legislatures, having first met in 1792. That year, the Assembly, then known as the “Legislative Council of Upper Canada,” first enacted laws that assisted in development of the province. Since then, the Legislature has grown with the province, and today, its dynamic debates, diverse voices, and independent-minded representatives reflect the richness of Ontario’s history and modern culture.

Each session of the Legislature is presided over by the Speakers of the Legislative Assembly – currently, Ted Arnott – and decisions are made by the Members voting on each issue. The Legislature activities of this chamber are similar to those of other parliamentary systems, except in a few respects. For one thing, it has longer sittings, which allow for more intricate and lengthy debate and discussion. For another, many aspects of the Ontario Legislative Assembly are distinct features of its own identity as a parliamentary body.

The Speaker is chosen by the members from their ranks. The members also appoint the Committee of the Whole House, which is responsible for reviewing bills and studying proposed legislation. This committee consists of all the regular members of the Legislature and meets throughout the year to discuss matters within its jurisdiction.

The Legislature also oversees the activities of the Ontario Public Service, which provides services to the public. The Legislature’s Standing Committees examine the functioning of government departments and agencies and develop recommendations for their improvement.

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario also shares many of its procedures with its federal and provincial counterparts. It has a strong tradition of openness and accessibility and meets in camera only on rare occasions.

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Travel Guide For Visiting Legislative Assembly of Ontario

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario, located in Toronto, is the provincial legislature of the province of Ontario, Canada. Visitors can experience the history and functions of the building in a range of tours and information sessions.

1. When to Visit

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is open for free tours from Monday to Friday, and closed on weekends. However, actual sitting days are subject to change, so make sure to check in advance if the Assembly is sitting while planning your visit. If you’re visiting during sitting days, you’ll be able to observe elected members of parliament in session from the members’ gallery.

2. Getting to the Legislative Assembly

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is located near University of Toronto and Yorkville and is easily accessible by public transit. Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Queen Streetcar (510) and Wellesley bus (94) both stop at the building. The closest subway stations are Queen’s Park station and Wellesley station. You can also drive to the Legislative Assembly and use the free parking lot located at the rear of the building.

3. What to See

While on a tour, visitors will explore the Legislative Chamber and the Hall of Honour. Additionally, the Legislative Library and the Lieutenant Governor’s suite are some of the interesting places worth seeing.

Guided tours are available at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. every weekday. As part of the tour, visitors will learn about the parliamentary system, the duties of MPPs, the legislative process and the history of the Ontario assembly.

4. Resources

Before planning a visit, you can check the website of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for information about Ontario’s parliament and upcoming events. You can also find a range of resources including audio recordings, videos, and transcripts of debates. For further inquiries, you can contact the Education and Outreach Unit of the Legislative Assembly.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Q1: What is the Legislative Assembly of Ontario?

A1: The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is the elected legislative body of the Canadian province of Ontario. It consists of 124 Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) elected for 4-year terms from electoral districts. The Legislative Assembly meets and deliberates at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

Q2: Who are the Members of the Ontario Legislative Assembly?

A2: MPPs are elected by the people of Ontario to represent their interests in the provincial government. Current MPPs are listed on the Legislative Assembly website.

Q3: What is the structure of the Ontario Legislative Assembly?

A3: The Ontario Legislative Assembly is made up of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and Committee Chairs, the Government, the Official Opposition, and third parties. The Leader of the Government serves as Premier, and is supported by a Cabinet.

Q4: What is the role of the Ontario Legislative Assembly?

A4: The role of the Ontario Legislative Assembly is to consider and pass the laws of the Province. It also examines government policies, debates issues of public importance and draws attention to issues facing the people of Ontario.

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