Harinder Takhar

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Harinder Jeet Singh Takhar is a politician in Ontario, Canada. Takhar was born to a Sikh family in the Indian state of Punjab, with a background in farming and civil service work. He moved to Canada in 1974, and arrived in Mississauga, Ontario in 1977. He currently lives with his family in his residence on O'Neil Gate, Mississauga.

[edit] Political career

Harinder Takhar was elected to the Ontario Legislature as a Liberal in the 2003 provincial election, and was appointed Minister of Transportation on October 23, 2003, by Premier Dalton McGuinty. He is the first Indo-Canadian to hold a cabinet post in Ontario.

In June, 2005, Takhar faced criticism after the Toronto Sun caught him visiting his company despite it having been placed in a blind trust when he joined the cabinet. Cabinet ministers are required to keep an arms length relationship with any business they own in order to avoid being placed in a conflict of interest. Premier McGuinty refused to bow to opposition demands for Thakar's resignation but conceded that the minister had shown poor judgement[1]. Thakar insisted he was visiting the company in order to speak with his wife who is the company's CEO. The matter was sent to the province's Integrity Commissioner who issued a decision on January 4, 2006 that Thakar had violated the province's integrity guidelines by failing to maintain an arms-length relationship with the trustee of his blind trust. McGuinty issued a statement following the release of the decision stating he would not be firing Takhar from cabinet.

Takhar has been unable to secure promised toll reductions on the privately-owned Highway 407. In December 2005, the consortium that operates the highway announced a fare increase effective January 2006. He has won some funding for public transit, and he has identified transit in the Greater Toronto Area as his ministry's key priority.

Takhar was reassigned to the new position of Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship on May 23, 2006.

[edit] Business background

Takhar has held leadership positions with several Canadian companies, including AGRA Industries Limited, Linear Technology Inc./Gennum Corporation and Timex Canada Inc. He served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chalmers Group of Companies until his election to the Ontario Legislature in October, 2003.

In 1995, the Financial Post recognized the company among Canada's top 100 best-managed private companies. In 1999, Chalmers received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Award of Excellence from the Mississauga Board of Trade.

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."

Takhar holds a Master's degree in economics and political science, and an undergraduate degree in English, economics and political science. Takhar has been designated a Certified Management Accountant and professional administrator. He has also taken a number of leadership courses at the University of Toronto and York University, and taught CMA and CGA accredited courses at Sheridan College for thirteen years. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants of Canada.

Provincial Government of Dalton McGuinty
Cabinet Posts (2)
Predecessor	Office	Successor
Frank Klees	Minister of Transportation (2003-2006)	Donna Cansfield
new post	Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (Ontario) (2005–2006)	incumbent