Mike Harris

Mike Harris
Name	Mike Harris
Caption	Harris in 1999
Office	22nd Premier of Ontario
Term start	June 26, 1995
Term end	April 15, 2002
Predecessor	Bob Rae
Successor	Ernie Eves
Office1	Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
Term start1	1990
Term end1	2002
Predecessor1	Andy Brandt
Successor1	Ernie Eves
Constituency MPP2	Nipissing
Term start2	1981
Term end2	2002
Predecessor2	Jack Stokes
Successor2	Al McDonald
Birth date	23 January 1945
Birth place	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Party	Progressive Conservative
Spouse	Janet, 1967
Alma mater	University of Toronto Schools, Lakehead University
Occupation	Politician, businessman

Mike Harris. Michael Deane Harris served as the 22nd Premier of Ontario from 1995 to 2002, leading a Progressive Conservative government. His tenure was defined by the implementation of the Common Sense Revolution, a platform of significant tax cuts, welfare reform, and government restructuring. Harris's policies, including the controversial teachers' strikes and the Ipperwash Crisis, sparked considerable debate and reshaped the province's political landscape.

Early life and education

Born in Toronto, he was raised in the North Bay area. He attended University of Toronto Schools before graduating from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay with a Bachelor of Arts. Prior to entering politics, he worked as a teacher and operated a ski resort in the community of Callander. His early business experiences and upbringing in Northern Ontario significantly influenced his later political perspectives.

Political career

First elected as the MPP for Nipissing in the 1981 election, he served in the cabinets of Premiers Frank Miller and Larry Grossman. Following the party's defeat in the 1987 election, he became a leadership candidate. He was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario in 1990, succeeding Andy Brandt. He rebuilt the party platform around the Common Sense Revolution, focusing on fiscal conservatism.

Premiership of Ontario

After a decisive victory in the 1995 election over the New Democratic Party government of Bob Rae, his government enacted sweeping changes. Major policies included the Ontario Fair Tax Plan, which cut personal income taxes and the corporate tax rate, and the Ontario Works program, which reformed social assistance. His government amalgamated the municipal governments of Toronto and other cities, downloaded service costs, and passed the Education Quality Improvement Act. The period was marked by conflicts with public sector unions, notably during the 1997 teachers' strike. A defining and tragic event was the Ipperwash Crisis in 1995, which resulted in the death of Dudley George during a Ontario Provincial Police intervention at a First Nations protest.

Post-premiership activities

He resigned as premier and MPP in 2002 and was succeeded by Ernie Eves. He later served as a board member for several corporations, including Magnotta Winery and Chartwell Retirement Residences. In 2004, he co-chaired the Common Sense Revolution-inspired Alberta's Advisory Council on Fiscal Management for Premier Ralph Klein. He was appointed as a special advisor to the Prime Minister on Indigenous issues in 2021.

Electoral record

He was first elected in the 1981 election and was re-elected in 1985, 1987, 1990, 1995, and 1999. His most significant victories were in 1995, where the PCs won 82 seats, and in 1999, securing a second majority government. He did not contest the 2003 election.

Personal life

He married Janet in 1967, and they have four children. He is an avid golfer and outdoorsman. Since leaving office, he has divided his time between residences in North Bay and Collingwood. He has been involved with charitable organizations, including the Mike Harris Tribute Dinner, which has raised funds for local university and hospital foundations.

Category:1945 births Category:Living people Category:Premiers of Ontario Category:Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario MPPs