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Swearing-in of the Executive Council of Ontario June 24, 2014

Crmonie dassermentation du Conseil excutif de lOntario 24 juin 2014

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Premier and members of the Executive Council,
Chief J ustice,
Mr. Speaker,
Elder Gary Sault,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Mesdames et Messieurs :

We acknowledge and respect the historic and enduring relationship between the Crown and
Aboriginal peoples in Ontario.

Nous reconnaissons et respectons les liens historiques et durables qui unissent la Couronne et
les peuples autochtones de lOntario.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to this swearing-in ceremony for members of the
Executive Council of Ontario.

This is of course a happy day for those Ministers who are continuing in the Executive Council,
and particularly for those who will join for the first time. It is my pleasure to also welcome those
family members and friends who are here with you to witness this special occasion.

Cest avec plaisir que je souhaite aussi la bienvenue aux membres de votre famille et vos amis
qui sont ici prsents en cette occasion spciale.

With the election of J une 12th, the people have now spoken, and you, the Executive Councillors,
and your fellow caucus members and colleagues on the other side of the House, will start work
as members of the 41st Parliament of Ontario. I look forward to opening this new Parliament
next month and to meeting you and members from all parts of the province in the days ahead.

The government has been returned to office, and it is fitting that this ceremony take place in the
Chamber of the Legislative Assembly, a location that reminds us of our system of responsible
government.

The journey to full responsible government in Ontario was hard won through debate and
discussion. Through the centuries, our society has changed, but certain values have remained
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constant. They are in fact, well symbolized in this very House. They are literally carved into this
chamber and throughout Queens Park to serve as permanent reminders of our heritage.

We are a people rooted in the values of our constitutional democracy. Principal among these is
the right of the people to elect you, their representatives, to this place, and the freedom of speech
that you enjoy in your debates.

From the legislators who have been recently elected, the First Ministerthe Premierhas
selected a Cabinet to govern in this new Parliament.

I am mindful that it is you as members of the Executive Council who advise meThe Queens
representativein my exercise of the Crowns constitutional duties and legal authorities.

Je noublie pas que cest vous, en tant que membres du Conseil excutif, qui me conseillez qui
conseillez le reprsentant de la Reine dans lexercice des fonctions constitutionnelles et de
lautorit lgislative de la Couronne.

You, in turn, are accountable for that advice to the Assembly, and through the MPPs, to the
people of this province. The oaths you are about take reflect our parliamentary customs and
traditions.

Vous, en revanche, devez rendre compte de ces avis lAssemble et, par lentremise des
dputs provinciaux, la population de la province. Les serments que vous allez prter sont
lexpression de nos coutumes et de nos traditions parlementaires.

By taking these oathsor by choosing to reaffirm themyou recognize that we are placing our
trust in the high offices you hold and in your commitment to public service.

Today, we rededicate ourselves to all of these important principles.

J ust minutes ago, the Premier presented her recommendations for appointments to the Executive
Council and for Ministers of the Crown who will serve in the 41st Parliament.

Having approved this advice, I will now ask the Secretary of the Cabinet to call upon the
Ministers to take or to reaffirm their oaths. Following that, I will confer to the responsible
Minister the Great Seal of Ontario, a symbol of the authority of the Executive Council to govern
and to exercise the Crowns authority to administer the law.

Having advised me on the composition of the Executive Council, I understand that the
Honourable Kathleen ODay Wynne wishes to reaffirm her Oath of Office as 25th Premier of
Ontario and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and I would invite her to do so now.