Harinder Takhar was elected to the Ontario Legislature in
October 2003, and appointed Minister of Transportation on
October 23, 2003, by Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Mr. 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 CEO of the Chalmers
Group of Companies until his election to the Ontario Legislature
in October, 2003.
In 1995, one of the Chalmers Group of Companies, headed
by Mr. Takhar, was recognized by the Financial Post as
a finalist among Canada's top 50 best-managed private
companies. The company was also given the Outstanding
Business Achievement Award by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
in 1999.
A tireless volunteer and community supporter, Mr. 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."
In addition to a term as Chair of the United Way of Peel
Region, Mr. Takhar has served as chair and member of the
board of governors of the Credit Valley Hospital, and
associate director and chief financial officer of the
Peel District School Board. He is also a founding member
of the International Punjabi Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Takhar holds a Master's degree in economics and political
science, and an undergraduate degree in English, economics
and political science. He is also a Fellow of the Society
of Management Accountants of Canada.
Residents of Mississauga for 29 years, Mr. Takhar and
his wife Balwinder have two daughters.
Political History- DISTRICT: MISSISSAUGA-ERINDALE:
Tory Rob Sampson won Mississauga Centre comfortably in 1999,
beating Liberal George Winter by over 4,100 votes. But in
2003, Tory support was on the wane. Sampson lost to Liberal
Harinder S. Takhar that year. Takhar was named transportation
minister in 2003 and small business and entrepreneur minister
in 2007.
In Mississauga West, PC candidate John Snobelen defeated
Liberal Steve Offer in 1995 and served in the cabinet
of Mike Harris. Snobelen was re-elected in 1999, but chose
not to seek re-election in 2003 after being consigned
to the government backbenches by Ernie Eves.
The riding fell into Liberal hands after Snobelen's departure
as Bob Delaney won a commanding victory in 2003, beating
Progressive Conservative Nina Tangri by 8,606 votes.
