Legislative Assembly of Ontario

In 1905, James Whitney was elected as the province’s first Conservative Premier in 33 years, winning the January election with a majority.

In 1885, after an unsuccessful design competition, Richard A. Waite, a British-born architect and panelist judging the submitted designs for a new Ontario Legislative Building, unveils his own plans - the provincial government rapidly accepts them.

An MPP representing the riding of Prescott in eastern Ontario from 1886-1904, François-Eugène-Alfred-Évanturel served as Ontario’s first Francophone Speaker (1897-1902) and Minister (1904-1905).

Sir George William Ross became Ontario Premier in 1899 following the resignation of Arthur Hardy. Ross, the former long-serving Minister of Education (1883-1899), spearheaded the development of Northern Ontario during his term of office.