Michael Harris (politician, born 1979)
- For the incumbent MPP for Kitchener—Conestoga (2018-present) & the Premier's son, see Mike Harris Jr.
Michael Harris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Waterloo Regional Councillor for Kitchener | |
| Assumed office December 1, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Karen Redman |
| Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Kitchener—Conestoga | |
| In office October 6, 2011 – June 7, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Leeanna Pendergast |
| Succeeded by | Mike Harris Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 10, 1979 Mount Forest, Ontario |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Progressive Conservative (prior to 2018) |
| Residence | Kitchener, Ontario |
| Alma mater | Conestoga College University of Guelph (MA) |
| Occupation | Salesman |
Michael D. Harris[1] (born May 10, 1979) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a regional councillor for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and is a former member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who represented the riding of Kitchener—Conestoga from 2011 to 2018. He sat as a member of the Progressive Conservative caucus until April 9, 2018 and as an Independent for his last months in office.[2] On October 22, 2018, Harris was elected to Waterloo Regional Council.
Background
Harris was raised on a farm near Mount Forest, Ontario.[3] He worked in the sales department at Honeywell in Waterloo before being elected as MPP for Kitchener—Conestoga in 2011. He now lives in Kitchener with his family.[4]
On October 22, 2017, Harris graduated from the University of Guelph with a Master of Arts.[5]
Provincial Politics
In the 2007 provincial election, Harris ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding of Kitchener—Conestoga. He was defeated by Liberal Leeanna Pendergast by about 1,500 votes.[6] In the 2011 provincial election he ran against Pendergast again, this time defeating her by 3,700 votes.[4][7][8] He was re-elected in the 2014 provincial election defeating Liberal candidate Wayne Wright by 1,794 votes.[9]
Harris previously served as the PC critic of Transportation and Innovation until Doug Ford became leader.[10] In addition, Harris was seen as the best fundraiser within the party, before his removal from caucus.[10]
On Saturday, April 7 2018, Harris announced he would not be seeking re-election due to health issues.[11][12] On Monday, April 9, Harris' wife, Sarah Harris, announced she would be seeking the nomination in his place.[2]
Shortly following his wife's announcement, Harris was removed from caucus and it was announced that he was removed as a PC candidate on April 6 due to sexual misconduct allegations that occurred in 2012. It occurred before he was married.[2][10] On May 1, 2018, it was reported that MPP Toby Barrett disputed claims by PC leader Doug Ford Jr. that the PC nomination committee unanimously removed Harris as a PC candidate.[10] On May 16, 2018, The Waterloo Region Record released the texts between Harris and the intern. His wife believed that the reaction to these text were over blown.[13]
Harris is not related to Mike Harris Jr., the son of former Ontario premier Mike Harris,[14] who succeeded him as the PC candidate for the Kitchener—Conestoga riding and won election on June 7, 2018.[15]
Municipal Politics
On July 24, 2018, it was reported that Harris announced his candidacy for Waterloo Regional Council.[16] He was elected on October 22, 2018.[17]
References
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-08-13. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b c "Ontario PC party removes Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris from caucus". CBC News. April 9, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ Benzie, Robert; Ferguson, Rob (November 21, 2011). "Rookie MPPs poised to take their seats as legislature opens". The Guelph Mercury. p. B7.
- ^ a b "Two new local Tory MPPs say they're fighting for families". The Waterloo Record. October 7, 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ https://twitter.com/Michaelharrispc/status/922125762328657920
- ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. October 10, 2007. p. 7 (xvi). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2009. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. October 6, 2011. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 30, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ^ "Harris unseats Pendergast". The Waterloo Record. October 7, 2011.
- ^ "General Election by District: Kitchener—Conestoga". Elections Ontario. June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "What really happened to Michael Harris?". The Record. May 2, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ "Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris won't run for re-election". 570 News. April 7, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ "Tory MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga won't run for re-election due to eye condition". CBC News. April 7, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ Mercer, Greg (2018-05-16). "Texts that sank Tory MPP Michael Harris revealed". TheRecord.com. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
- ^ Jeff Outhit and Catherine Thompson, "Mike Harris Jr. wins in Kitchener-Conestoga, taking riding previously held by Michael Harris". Waterloo Region Record, June 7, 2018.
- ^ Greg Mercer, "The complicated candidate". Waterloo Region Record, June 4, 2018.
- ^ "Harris eyes political comeback". 2018-07-24.
- ^ "Former MPP Michael Harris elected as regional councillor (update)".