Mike Harris
Shortly after his first election win in 1995, Mike Harris faced his first crisis as Premier. Protesters fighting land claim issues took over a Provincial Park 150 km North West of Toronto. Some thought that it might become a prolonged occupation similar to earlier protests in Quebec.
In 1995 Ontario Provincial Police acting Sgt. Kenneth Deane fired on First Nations demonstrators, some of whom were armed, who had occupied the park, killing an unarmed protester named Dudley George. The government and the OPP maintained that there was no political involvement in the shooting, but many were suspicious. In a court case that went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, Deane maintained that he was not under orders to shoot and was convicted of criminal negligence causing death. Inside the Legislature, several opposition politicians suggested that the attack may have been ordered by the Premier's office, and called for an independent judicial inquiry. This inquiry was finally called after the government of Dalton McGuinty was elected in 2003.
On November 28, 2005, former Attorney General Charles Harnick testified before the inquiry that Harris had shouted "I want the fucking Indians out of the park" at a meeting with Ontario Provincial Police officer Ron Fox, hours before the shooting occurred (Canadian Press, 28 November 2005, 12:45 report). Other witnesses have disputed this account, and Harris himself has denied it under oath.
On February 14, 2006, Mike Harris took the stand to testify before the Ipperwash Inquiry. Harris was presented with his own political party literature and campaign information surrounding the 'Common Sense Revolution' as lawyers tried to make a connection between his parties implied 'aggressive' attitude towards natives and its subsequent influence over high ranking government officials in finding ways to resolve protests. Harris has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the case, and continued to do so throughout his testimony.
The Inquiry, headed by commissioner Sidney Linden, released its report on May 31, 2007. It concluded that Harris did not bear responsibility for the outcome at Ipperwash:
The evidence demonstrated that the Premier and his officials wanted the occupation to end quickly, but there is no evidence to suggest that the Premier or any official in his government was respnsible for Mr. George's death. [8]
However, the report also stated that the both the provincial and federal levels of government, as well as the Ontario Provincial Police shared responsibility for the events at Ipperwash. The report found that while Harris did not order the police to remove protesters from the park, his approach "narrowed the scope" of the response to the situation:
The Premier's determination to seek a quick resolution closed off many options endorsed by civil servants in the Ontario government, including process negotiations, the appointment of mediators, and opening up communication with the First Nations people. His narrow approach to the occupation did not enable the situation to stabilize at the park. [9]
The Inquiry found that Harris did say "I want the fucking Indians out of the park," despite his denials to that effect. This finding was based on not being able to find an existing animosity from Charles Harnick towards Mike Harris and the fact that Harnick was reversing previous statements that he had made in the legislature which would not be of any benefit to himself. [10]
In a statement released on the same day as the report, Harris indicated that he believes that the Inquiry completely absolved him and his government of directing or interfering with the OPP's handling of the occupation of Ipperwash, meaning that he had "no influence" on George's death. He referred to allegations that he and his government were responsible as "false and politically motivated accusations." [11]
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Facts and figures
- In 1997, Harris was rumored to be polydactyl after a newspaper obtained a photo of him as a youth. Harris was barefoot in the picture and appeared, through the same optical illusion as in a famous Marilyn Monroe photograph,[12] to have six toes on one foot. After the rumour surfaced, Harris showed his foot to reporters to prove he had the usual five toes.
- While premier of Ontario, Harris dated Canadian journalist Sharon Dunn.
- Harris has been married three times, and has two children.
- Harris is an endorser of International Student Exchange, Ontario.
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References
- ^ Stevenson, Mark. "Right in the heartland." Saturday Night May95, Vol. 110 Issue 4, p19-25.
- ^ Mallan, Caroline. "The legacy of Mike Harris." Toronto Star, March 16 2002, H02.
- ^ 2001 Ontario Budget: Budget Papers
- ^ McCarten, James. "Coroner's jury urges Ontario to end no-tolerance crackdown on welfare cheats." Canadian Press, Dec. 19, 2002.
- ^ Ontario Premier Mike Harris Steps Down
- ^ Perkel, Colin. "Reports on girlfriend's split could keep Harris out of Conservative leadership." Canadian Press, Oct. 25 2003.
- ^ Canadian Press. "Harris apologizes for swearing at Tories." Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal, Sept. 23, 2004.
- ^ "Ipperwash Inquiry,Investigation and Findings, Volume 1 - Conclusion. P675.
- ^ Ipperwash Enquiry, Investigation and Findings, Volume 1 - Executive Summary. Pp. 49-50.
- ^ "Ipperwash inquiry spreads blame for George's death," CBC News, 31 May 2007.
- ^ "Ipperwash allegations 'malicious and petty,' Harris says," CBC News, 31 May 2007.
- ^ article: "Marilyn did NOT have six toes on one foot!"
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See also
| Legislative Assembly of Ontario | ||
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| Preceded by Michael Bolan |
M.P.P. for Nipissing 1981–2002 |
Succeeded by Al McDonald |
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