Despite being a rookie MPP, Takhar was appointed
Transport Minister in Premier Dalton McGuinty's first
Cabinet. He was shuffled into a new portfolio called
Small Business and Entrepreneurship in May 2006 after
violating Members Integrity Act regulations for being
too directly involved in running a Mississauga company
called Chalmers Suspensions, which he had supposedly
designated others to manage.
Takhar apologized and kept his job despite what McGuinty
termed, "a lapse in judgement."
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, on 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.
