The Premier Files: David Peterson | The Premier Files

Video Description

Ontario's 20th premier, David Peterson led the Liberals to power in 1985, ending decades of Progressive Conservative governments in the province. His term was defined by an accord with the NDP, support for Canada's Meech Lake Accord, the introduction of pay equity provisions, no-fault insurance, and ending health insurance premiums. His government was also known for the Patti Starr scandal, and an early election call that ended in defeat in 1990, when Bob Rae's NDP won government. This series features candid conversations with former Ontario premiers, spanning four decades of the province's political history. With Steve Paikin, they discuss their lives before, during, and after their time in politics, and they revisit the policies and events that defined their leadership. 0:00 Do Ontario's Former Premiers Still Stand by Their Legacy? 1:07 Meet Clarence and Marie Peterson: The Premier's Parents 3:53 The City That Shaped the Peterson Family 4:20 From CCF Roots to Liberal Leadership 5:14 Growing Up as the Middle of Three Brothers 5:26 Did His Father's Political Career Inspire Him? 6:36 The Moment He Knew He Wanted to Enter Politics 7:46 Winning the First Election 9:02 Deciding to Run for Liberal Leadership 10:13 Coping with a Narrow Loss in Leadership Race 10:30 Was Running Again for Leadership a Sure Thing? 12:30 Changing Political Strategy After Davis Stepped Down 14:38 Facing a 20-Point Deficit at Campaign Start 17:44 Election Night: What Was Possible? 19:09 Did Bob Rae's Support Seem Certain? 20:49 Was the Liberal-NDP Accord Constitutionally Sound? 22:12 No Signing Photo? 23:08 Becoming Ontario's First Liberal Premier in 42 Years 23:55 Taking on Big Polluters: A Risky Move? 25:25 Was Funding Separate Schools the Right Call? 26:01 Should Ontario Have One School System? 27:03 The Excitement of Minority Government 29:37 Managing a 95-Person Caucus vs. 48 30:50 Championing French-Language Minority Rights 32:49 Making a Statement in Brockville 33:54 Why Quebec's Signature on the Constitution Mattered 35:35 The Risk of a Three-Year Ratification Window 36:45 Offering Senate Seats to Save Meech Lake 38:00 Could Clyde Wells Have Been Persuaded? 39:40 Why Clyde Wells Didn't Allow a Vote 40:57 Pierre Trudeau's Opposition to Meech Lake 41:00 Has Peterson Spoken to Clyde Wells Since? 41:20 The Patti Starr Scandal Explained 41:47 Peterson's Reaction to the Scandal 42:40 Why the Scandal Blew Up 44:17 Why Call an Early Election in 1990? 46:13 Was the Protest at the Election Launch a Bad Omen? 47:45 Was confronting the protestors a mistake? 48:42 Did Peterson Expect to Lose His Own Seat? 50:56 The Post-Election Debrief 51:46 Life After Politics: What's Next? 53:21 Getting Over the 1990 Election Loss 55:12 Finding Joy in Family and Philanthropy 56:13 Conclusion About The Premier Files: This series features candid conversations with former Ontario premiers, spanning four decades of the province's political history. With Steve Paikin, they discuss their lives before, during, and after their time in politics, and they revisit the policies and events that defined their leadership. Featured are David Peterson (Liberal, 1985-1990); Bob Rae (NDP, 1990-1995); Mike Harris (Progressive Conservative, 1995-2002); Ernie Eves (Progressive Conservative, 2002-2003); Dalton McGuinty (Liberal, 2003-2013); Kathleen Wynne (Liberal, 2013-2018).