The 16th Legislative Assembly of Ontario was in session from June 25, 1923, until October 18, 1926, just prior to the 1926 general election.
The United Farmers of Ontario party, who had held the balance of power in the preceding assembly, lost most of their seats to Conservatives.
The Liberals led by Wellington Hay were recognized as the Official Opposition following the 1923 election by the governing Conservatives, despite the fact that the United Farmers of Ontario had more seats.
According to historian Peter Oliver, this was an arbitrary decision without basis in precedent or law.
UFO parliamentary leader Manning Doherty protested the decision, but to no avail.