Minister's Biography
Harinder Takhar
Minister of Government Services
Harinder Takhar was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 and appointed to the Ontario Cabinet as Minister of Transportation. He became the first person of Indian heritage to become a member of the Ontario Cabinet.
Takhar was re-elected in October 2011 in the riding of Mississauga-Erindale. Takhar is the Minister of Government Services. He previously served as the Minister of the Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services.
As Minister of Government Services, he is responsible for the government’s information and communications systems, human resources, procurement and delivery of government services through ServiceOntario.
Takhar, among his many accomplishments since 2003, has had the opportunity to:
- Enhance child safety, promote and provide funding for enhanced public transit services, and introduce the first High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.
- Introduce legislation to improve propane safety standards and scattering of ashes in designated areas.
- Introduce new vehicle licence plates recognizing and highlighting the contributions made by our world war veterans and defence personnel.
- Embark on the modernization and the delivery of government services under one roof to provide cost-effective services to all Ontarians.
In 1995, the Financial Post recognized Chalmers Suspension International Inc., headed by Takhar, as a finalist among Canada’s top 50 best-managed private companies. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce also honoured the company with the Outstanding Business Achievement Award in 1999 and the Mississauga Board of Trade presented the company with the Small Business of the Year award.
A tireless volunteer and community supporter, 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,” the 2001 New Pioneers Award as “Entrepreneur of the Year,” the 2001 Sewa Award – Entrepreneur Category – Centennial Foundation, the 2001 United Way of Peel – Appreciation Award, as well as numerous South Asian Appreciation Awards for his support and generosity of time to the arts, culture and education.He is also a founding member of the International Punjabi Chamber of Commerce.
In 1996, Takhar accompanied Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on the Team Canada Trade Mission to India, Pakistan and the Far East. In 2007, Takhar travelled to India and Pakistan with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty on a very successful trade mission. He also travelled to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and met with key government officials and leaders from the business communities, with a view to promoting bilateral trade between Ontario and these countries.
Takhar holds a master’s degree in Economics and an undergraduate degree in English, Economics and Political Science. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants of Canada. He lives in Mississauga with his wife, Balwinder, and their two daughters.
