Leslie Frost
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 | Rank: | 16th |
| Term of Office: | 1949 - 1961 |
| Predecessor: | Thomas Kennedy |
| Successor: | John Robarts |
| Date of Birth: | 1895 |
| Place of Birth: | Orillia, Ontario |
| Profession: | Lawyer |
| Political Party: | PC |
The Honourable Leslie Miscampbell Frost, PC , CC (September 20, 1895-May 4, 1973) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was Premier of Ontario from 1949 to 1961. Frost was chosen as leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party following Premier George Drew's decision to enter federal politics. Dubbed Old Man Ontario, Frost led the province during the economic boom of the 1950s. Combining small town values with progressive polices, he took the Tories through three successive electoral victories winning majority governments in 1951, 1955 and 1959.
Frost's government introduced the Ontario Human Rights Code, and greater public investment in the economy including the creation of the 400 series of superhighways. His government attempted to wrest control of the income tax from the federal govrnment, but failed, resulting in the introduction of a provincial sales tax. It also was the first to pass laws providing penalties for racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination on private property; these laws started a movement in Ontario politics which produced the Ontario Human Rights Code in 1962 and later legislation. Frost resigned in 1961 and was succeeded as Tory leader and Premier by John Robarts. In 1969 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.
The Frost Building, which houses the Ontario Ministry of Finance and the Ontario Management Board Secretariat, at Queen's Park, was named in his honour.
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Preceded by: | Premier of Ontario 1949-1961 |
Succeeded by: |
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Preceded by: | Ontario Conservative Leaders |
Succeeded by: |