What Is 22nd Legislative Assembly of Ontario

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 22nd Legislative Assembly of Ontario was in session from 1943 to 1945, marking the first time the Progressive Conservative Party, led by George A. Drew, formed government after defeating the Liberal Party. It was notable for being the shortest assembly of the 20th century due to World War II constraints.

Key Facts

22nd Assembly convened on August 4, 1943, and dissolved on April 16, 1945
Progressive Conservatives won 38 seats in the 1943 election, ending 14 years of Liberal rule
George A. Drew became Premier, leading Ontario’s first PC government
Assembly passed key wartime legislation affecting labor, housing, and industry
Only 13 legislative sitting days occurred due to WWII resource limitations

Overview

The 22nd Legislative Assembly of Ontario was a pivotal moment in provincial political history, operating between August 1943 and April 1945. It marked a major shift in governance, ending over a decade of Liberal dominance and ushering in the first Progressive Conservative government under George A. Drew.

This assembly functioned during the height of World War II, which significantly influenced its legislative priorities and operational capacity. Despite its short duration, it laid the foundation for postwar economic planning and social policy reforms in Ontario.

First Progressive Conservative government in Ontario since 1905, winning 38 of 90 seats in the 1943 election
George A. Drew became Premier on August 17, 1943, after defeating Liberal Premier Gordon Daniel Conant
Session lasted only 13 sitting days due to wartime restrictions and national mobilization efforts
Legislative focus shifted to wartime needs, including labor regulation, housing for defense workers, and industrial production
Opposition led by the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), which won 34 seats, becoming the official opposition

How It Works

The 22nd Legislative Assembly operated under extraordinary wartime conditions, which limited its legislative scope but heightened its strategic importance. Despite a truncated session, it established key governance patterns that would influence Ontario politics for decades.

Term: The assembly convened on August 4, 1943, following the June 1943 general election, and was dissolved on April 16, 1945, ahead of the next election. This made it the shortest legislative term in Ontario’s 20th-century history.
Wartime restrictions limited travel and resources, leading to fewer parliamentary sittings and a focus on essential legislation
Committee work was streamlined to prioritize bills related to defense production, worker safety, and rationing
Legislative debates were minimal compared to peacetime assemblies, with most discussions held in executive council
Emergency Powers Act provisions were adopted to allow rapid implementation of federal-provincial war measures
Women’s participation increased marginally, though only one female MPP, Margaret Scrivener, was elected during this period
Bills passed included housing regulations for war industry workers and amendments to labor laws to support wartime employment

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 22nd Assembly to adjacent sessions highlights its unique wartime constraints and political transition.

Feature	22nd Assembly (1943–1945)	21st Assembly (1937–1943)	23rd Assembly (1945–1948)
Duration	1 year, 8 months	5 years, 9 months	3 years
Governing Party	Progressive Conservative	Liberal	Progressive Conservative
Seats (Governing Party)	38	65	67
Official Opposition	CCF (34 seats)	CCF (17 seats)	Liberal (21 seats)
Legislative Days	13	Over 100	Approx. 60

The data shows a dramatic reduction in legislative activity during the 22nd Assembly, reflecting wartime exigencies. While the 21st Assembly had the luxury of extended sessions, the 22nd operated under emergency protocols, making its governance more executive-driven than parliamentary. The 23rd Assembly, post-war, saw a return to more robust debate and policy development, indicating how external conditions shape legislative function.

Why It Matters

The 22nd Legislative Assembly set important precedents in Ontario’s political and administrative evolution. Its legacy extends beyond wartime governance, influencing future party dynamics and policy frameworks.

Marked the rise of the Progressive Conservative Party as a dominant force in Ontario politics, beginning a 42-year run in power starting in 1943
Introduced centralized wartime planning models later adapted for postwar infrastructure and social programs
Strengthened federal-provincial coordination during national emergencies, setting a template for future crisis responses
Highlighted limitations of democratic process during war, sparking postwar discussions on parliamentary reform
Empowered the CCF as a credible opposition, paving the way for Ontario’s later social welfare initiatives
Set precedent for short legislative terms during crises, influencing emergency governance policies in later decades

The 22nd Assembly may have been brief, but its impact was profound, reshaping Ontario’s political landscape and demonstrating how governance adapts under national duress.