https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Harinder_TakharHarinder Takhar - Revision history2026-07-31T09:08:44ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Harinder_Takhar&diff=432033&oldid=prevTimeStampBot at 15:40, 3 October 20232023-10-03T15:40:11Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Canadian politician}}<br />
{{Use Canadian English|date= October 2023}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date= October 2023}}<br />
{{Infobox officeholder<br />
| name = Harinder Takhar<br />
| image = Takhar1.jpg<br />
| caption = <br />
| office1 = [[Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario)|Ontario MPP]]<br />
| term_start1 = 2003<br />
| term_end1 = 2018<br />
| predecessor1 = [[Rob Sampson]]<br />
| successor1 = ''Riding abolished''<br />
| constituency1 = [[Mississauga—Erindale (provincial electoral district)|Mississauga—Erindale]]<br /><small> [[Mississauga Centre (provincial electoral district)|Mississauga Centre]] (2003-2007)</small><br />
| party = [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]]<br />
| birth_name = Harinder Jeet Singh Takhar<br />
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1951}}<br />
| birth_place = [[Punjab, India]]<br />
| spouse = Balwinder<br />
| children = 2<br />
| residence = [[Mississauga]], [[Ontario]]<br />
| occupation = Businessman<br />
| alma_mater = MA [[Guru Nanak Dev University]] <br /> BA [[Punjabi University]]<br />
}}<br />
'''Harinder Jeet Singh Takhar''' (born {{circa|1951}}) is a former politician in [[Ontario]], Canada. He was a [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]] member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 2003 to 2018 who represented the ridings of [[Mississauga Centre (provincial electoral district)|Mississauga Centre]] and [[Mississauga—Erindale (provincial electoral district)|Mississauga—Erindale]]. He served in the cabinets of [[Dalton McGuinty]] and [[Kathleen Wynne]].<br />
<br />
==Background==<br />
Takhar was born to a [[Sikh]] family in the [[India]]n state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], with a background in farming and civil service work.<ref name=gaz>{{cite news|title=The Candidates: Harinder Takhar|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/the-ontario-liberal-candidates-harinder-takhar|access-date=October 15, 2021|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|date=January 18, 2013}}</ref> He moved to Canada in 1974, and arrived in [[Mississauga, Ontario|Mississauga]], Ontario in 1977. He obtained a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in economics and political science and recently added Kellogg Schlich's EMBA degree to his FCPA and FCMA designations. <br />
<br />
<br />
He has been certified as a [[Certified Management Accountant|CMA]]. He has taught CMA and CGA-accredited courses at [[Sheridan College]] for thirteen years. Takhar held senior financial positions with AGRA Industries Limited, Linear Technology Inc./Gennum Corporation, and Timex Canada Inc. He also served as an Associate Director and Chief Financial Officer of Peel Dtsricy School Board from 1994 to 2003. In addition, he also served as the president and chief executive officer of the Chalmers Group of Companies until his election to the Ontario legislature.<ref>{{cite news |title=Border 'top priority,' new minister vows |first=Dave |last=Battagello |newspaper=The Windsor Star |date=November 6, 2003 |page=A2}}</ref><br />
<br />
Takhar received the 2001 Community Service Award from the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario for "demonstrating selflessness and kindness for the benefit of society." He lives with his wife Balwinder and their two daughters in Mississauga.<ref>{{cite journal |title=On their own |last=Cooper |first=John |journal=CMA Management |date=September 2001 |volume=75 |issue=6 |pages=16–21}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Politics==<br />
Takhar ran in the [[2003 Ontario general election|2003 provincial election]] as the [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]] candidate in the riding of [[Mississauga Centre (provincial electoral district)|Mississauga Centre]]. He defeated [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative]] incumbent [[Rob Sampson]] by 2,620 votes.<ref name="2003 results">{{cite web |url=http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=mississauga+centre&flag=E&layout=G |title=Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 2, 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903212807/http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=mississauga+centre&flag=E&layout=G |archive-date=September 3, 2014 }}</ref> He ran again in [[2007 Ontario general election|2007]] in the redistributed riding of [[Mississauga—Erindale (provincial electoral district)|Mississauga—Erindale]] defeating PC candidate David Brown by 6,638 votes.<ref name="2007 results">{{cite web |url=http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/AB409CCD-84F3-46FA-B3BD-39AB659EFC2D/0/SummaryofValidBallotsCastforEachCandidate.pdf |title=Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 10, 2007 |page=8 (xvii) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007160233/http://www.elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/AB409CCD-84F3-46FA-B3BD-39AB659EFC2D/0/SummaryofValidBallotsCastforEachCandidate.pdf |archive-date=October 7, 2009 }}</ref> He was re-elected in [[2011 Ontario general election|2011]].<ref name="2011 results">{{cite web |url=http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/7849B894-4C4F-490E-9E8C-271BCF0C0D4D/5712/SummaryofvalidvotescastforeacndGE2011.pdf |title=Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 6, 2011 |page=10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330163815/http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/7849B894-4C4F-490E-9E8C-271BCF0C0D4D/5712/SummaryofvalidvotescastforeacndGE2011.pdf |archive-date=March 30, 2013 }}</ref> While it was initially reported that he intended to retire, he changed his mind about running and was re-elected in [[2014 Ontario general election|June 2014]].<ref name=kleestakhar>{{cite news |title=MPP Frank Klees won't seek re-election |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/01/21/mpp_frank_klees_wont_seek_reelection.html |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=January 21, 2014}}</ref><ref name="2014 results">{{cite web |title=General Election by District: Mississauga-Erindale |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=June 12, 2014 |url=http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/general-election-district-results.aspx?d=049 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617105655/http://wemakevotingeasy.ca/en/general-election-district-results.aspx?d=049 |archive-date=June 17, 2014 }}</ref><br />
<br />
He was appointed [[Ministry of Transportation of Ontario|Minister of Transportation]] on October 23, 2003, by [[Premier of Ontario|Premier]] [[Dalton McGuinty]]. He is the first Indian-Canadian to hold a cabinet post in Ontario.<ref name="2003McGuintyCab">{{cite news |title=Premier Dalton McGuinty and his 22-member Cabinet were sworn in Thursday |publisher=Canadian Press NewsWire |date=October 23, 2003 |page=1}}</ref> In October 2007 he was appointed as a Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. <br />
<br />
In September 2008, Takhar was reappointed to a slightly revised cabinet post of Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services.<ref name="McGuinty2008Cab">{{cite news |title=The new-look Ontario cabinet |newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator |date=September 19, 2008 |page=A9}}</ref> In June 2009, Takhar's moved to the positions of [[Ministry of Government Services (Ontario)|Minister of Government Services]].<ref>{{cite news |title=McMeekin gets new portfolio |last=Werner |first=Kevin |newspaper=Flamborough Review |location=Waterdown, Ont |date=June 26, 2009 |page=1}}</ref><br />
<br />
He resigned from Cabinet in 2012 to stand as a candidate in the [[2013 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election|2013 Liberal leadership convention]] to choose McGuinty's successor. Takhar ran a very focused campaign, put forward very innovative policies, and surprised everyone with the number of delegates he could secure to support his leadership bid. After the first round, he withdrew to endorse [[Sandra Pupatello]], who went on to lose to [[Kathleen Wynne]].<br />
<br />
On February 11, 2013, Wynne reappointed Takhar to Minister of Government Services. Also, it made him the Management Board Chair.<ref name="2013WynneCab">{{cite news |title=Ontario's new cabinet |newspaper=Waterloo Region Record |location=Kitchener, Ont |date=February 12, 2013 |page=A3}}</ref> On May 8, 2013, he resigned from Cabinet after being hospitalized after he lost his mother .<ref>{{cite news |title=Harinder Takhar resigns cabinet post, citing health issues |last=Stewart |first=John |newspaper=Mississauga News |date=May 8, 2013 |page=1}}</ref><br />
<br />
He remained in the legislature as MPP until he decided not to seek reelection in June 2018. He currently serves as the Chairman/CEO of Chalmers Group of Companies based in Mississauga. He previously served as the Chairman of United Way of Peel and Chair of the Board of Credit Valley Hospital. He was also the founding member and president of the International Punjabi of Commerce. Takhar frequently appears on radio programs to express his views regarding political and economic issues and well a respected member of the South Asian community. <br />
<br />
<br />
===Cabinet positions===<br />
{{s-start}}<br />
{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Kathleen_Wynne}}<br />
{{ministry box cabinet posts<br />
| post1preceded = [[Dwight Duncan]]<br />
| post1 = Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet<br />
| post1years = 2013 (February–May)<br />
| post1note =<br />
| post1followed = [[Charles Sousa]]<br />
}}<br />
{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Dalton_McGuinty}}<br />
{{ministry box cabinet posts<br />
| post3preceded = [[Ted McMeekin]]<br />
| post3 = [[Ministry of Government Services (Ontario)|Minister of Government Services]]<br />
| post3years = 2009–2013<br />
| post3note =<br />
| post3followed = [[Dwight Duncan]]<br />
<br />
| post2preceded = New ministry<br />
| post2 = [[Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services (Ontario)|Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services]]<br />
| post2years = 2006–2009<br />
| post2note =<br />
| post2followed = [[Ted McMeekin]]<br /><ref group=note>[[Ministry of Consumer Services (Ontario)|Minister of Consumer Services]]</ref><br />[[Sandra Pupatello]]<br /><ref group=note>[[Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (Ontario)|Minister of Small Business]]</ref><br />
<br />
| post1preceded = [[Frank Klees]]<br />
| post1 = [[Ministry of Transportation of Ontario|Minister of Transportation]]<br />
| post1years = 2003–2006<br />
| post1note =<br />
| post1followed = [[Donna Cansfield]]<br />
}}<br />
{{s-end}}<br />
<br />
==Electoral record==<br />
{{CANelec/top|ON|2014|percent=yes|change=yes|prelim=no}} <br />
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|Harinder Takhar|25,174|48.83|+3.80}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|PC|Jeff White |15,375|29.82|-5.88}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Michelle Bilek |7,745|15.02|-2.00}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|Green|Vivek Gupta|1,196|2.32|+0.45}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|Libertarian|Christopher Jewell |892|1.73|}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|None of the Above|Greg Vezina|706|1.37|}} <br />
{{CANelec|ON|Family Coalition|Nabila Kiyani|469|0.91|}}<br />
{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|51,557|100.00 ||}}<br />
{{CANelec/hold|ON|Liberal|+4.84}}<br />
{{CANelec/source|Source: [[Elections Ontario]]<ref name="2014 results"/>}}<br />
{{end}}<br />
<br />
{{Canadian election result/top|ON|2011|percent=yes|change=yes}} <br />
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|Harinder Takhar|20,552 |45.0 |-2.6 }} <br />
{{CANelec|ON|PC|David Brown |16,294 |35.7 |+2.5 }}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Michelle Bilek |7,768 |17.0 |-5.6 }}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|Green|Otto Casanova|853 |1.9 |-5.9 }}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|Freedom|Gerald Jackson |176 |0.4 | }}<br />
{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes|45,643 |100.0 | | }}<br />
{{end}}<br />
<br />
{{Election box begin | title=[[2007 Ontario general election]]}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|Harinder Takhar|21,294|47.6%|N/A}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|Progressive Conservatives|David Brown|14,838|33.2%|N/A}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Shaila Kibria|5,117|11.4%|N/A}}<br />
{{CANelec |ON |Green |Richard Pietro |3,495 |7.8% |N/A}}<br />
{{end}}<br />
{{Election box begin | title=[[2003 Ontario general election]]}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|Harinder Takhar|18,466|47.45|+7.19}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|Progressive Conservatives|[[Rob Sampson]]|15,846|40.72|-10.91}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Michael Miller|3,237|8.32|+3.29}}<br />
{{CANelec |ON |Green |Jeffrey Scott Smith |776 |1.99}}<br />
{{CANelec|ON|FCP|John R. Lyall|588|1.51}}<br />
{{end}}<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
===Notes===<br />
{{Reflist|group=note}}<br />
<br />
===Citations===<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
*{{Ontario MPP biography|id=harinder-s-takhar}}<br />
<br />
{{McGuinty Ministry}}<br />
{{Wynne Ministry}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Takhar, Harinder}}<br />
[[Category:1951 births]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Canadian politicians]]<br />
[[Category:Canadian accountants]]<br />
[[Category:Canadian people of Indian descent]]<br />
[[Category:Canadian Sikhs]]<br />
[[Category:Indian emigrants to Canada]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Members of the Executive Council of Ontario]]<br />
[[Category:Ontario Liberal Party MPPs]]<br />
[[Category:Politicians from Mississauga]]<br />
[[Category:Foreign-born Canadian politicians]]</div>TimeStampBot