MPP Harris steps down over health
WATERLOO REGION — Quitting politics two months before an election seems sudden. But the decision has been building.
Michael Harris has struggled for 20 years with an eye disease called keratoconus that threatens his vision. He put off sur- gery while serving as member of provincial parliament for the riding of Kitchener-Conestoga.
Twice while in office, he recovered from debilitations that clouded his vision for months at a time. He walked straight into a glass door, breaking his nose. The disease worsened.
Recently he drove at night in the rain and had a close call that scared him. “That was the gamechanging moment,” he said.
Facing a re-election campaign that might exhaust him, Harris felt he had to put his health first.
He announced Saturday that he’s leaving provincial politics, heading toward what could be more than one surgery to replace his corneas.
“My vision has been extremely poor for a while now,” he said, explaining a decision that had his emotions surging. “There’s no good timing. I believe that I’m doing the right thing for my family, and for my constituents.”
He’s not persuaded he could serve his constituents while trying to restore his health. “I’ve given them 150 per cent, day in, day out. If I can’t do that, that’s not fair to them,” he said.
Elected in 2011, the Progressive Conservative MPP has always served in opposition to Liberal governments. Is it harder to quit when polls suggest his party might win the June 7 election?
Harris takes the longer view. He remembers being told in past elections that he was likely heading into government. It didn’t happen. “The most joy of my job is to continue to represent my constituents, whether it be in opposition or not,” he said.
Harris, 38, and his wife, Sarah, have four children. Three of them were born while he held office. Sarah now intends to step into politics, seeking to replace her husband.
Politicians tweeted Harris their best wishes. Premier Kathleen Wynne called him. They spoke warmly and laughed.
“It was just a really nice conversation,” Harris said. “At the end of the day, of course, we’re on opposite sides and we have different viewpoints. But we’re people and we’re committed to our communities.”
Harris has been his party’s transportation critic and its science
critic. He’s advocated for people who use service dogs and for people with rare diseases.
He’s pressed the government for better roundabout rules. He pressed for labour reforms that would keep government building contracts open to broader competition.
Along the way he gained confidence in the legislature, learning how to gain attention and elevate issues.
Harris said he has no job lined up but expects to return to private-sector business, after politics.
“I’m definitely open for any opportunity that I see would be a good fit,” he said.
“My passion for this community will never waiver. People will still see me around.”