Oliver Mowat

premier of Ontario

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July 1, 2026

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Oliver Mowat was a prominent Canadian politician who served as the premier of Ontario for 24 years, from 1872 to 1896. His tenure as premier was one of the longest in Canadian history.1

A key achievement during Mowat's leadership was his success in a boundary dispute with Manitoba and the federal government. This legal victory effectively doubled the size of Ontario and significantly affirmed the authority of provincial governments within their constitutionally defined powers. Mowat was a member of the Liberal Party.1

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Ontario
History of Ontario
…Ontario’s government was headed by Oliver Mowat, the Liberal premier who won a boundary dispute with Manitoba and the federal government that doubled the size of Ontario and helped to confirm the supremacy of provincial governments within their constitutionally assigned powers.
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…Ontario’s government was headed by Oliver Mowat, the Liberal premier who won a boundary dispute with Manitoba and the federal government that doubled the size of Ontario and helped to confirm the supremacy of provincial governments within their constitutionally assigned powers.
Read More