Harris eyes political comeback
Former Kitchener-Conestoga MPP wants to turn the page and run for regional council
KITCHENER — Michael Harris, the former MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga, is eyeing a return to politics this October through a seat on Region of Waterloo council.
Harris, 39, will be seeking one of four at-large seats representing Kitchener as he tries to re-enter public life following his dismissal from the Ontario PC Party in April.
The politician says he wants voters to decide his fate — a chance he didn’t get when Premier Doug Ford dismissed him as a candidate over some flirty texts with a former party intern from 2012.
Although there was speculation he was interested in the chair’s job with the departure of Ken Seiling, he said a regional council seat is the best fit for him right now.
Harris is still angry about what appears to have been a political hit orchestrated by people in Ford’s inner circle, and admits it’s been difficult to watch the PC party form government without him.
But he’s anxious to move on with his life and says he wants to fill “a void” that he’s felt since leaving Queen’s Park.
“It feels like there’s something missing. There’s a big hole,” he said. “That commitment and passion for this community has never wavered.”
Harris announced his intention to run in the municipal election during a wide-ranging interview at his home. He says a lot of the issues that concerned him as an MPP — from municipal infrastructure contracts to policing to transit to opioid addiction — are things he feels he can impact as a regional councillor.
“I was always a champion of Waterloo Region at Queen’s Park,” he said. “They will continue to hear from me, just at a different level. I want to continue to advance the issues that I’ve worked on.”
Harris said he’s been moved by the support he’s received from the community since he was kicked out of the PC party. That’s helped him get through the past few difficult months, he said.
“I think a lot of them took it personally,” he said. “Total strangers are approaching me, emailing, calling the house, telling me they’re sorry about what happened. A lot of them are angry about it.”
He was initially “gun-shy” about returning to politics, he said, after being caught up in an embarrassing news story that made national headlines.
“It’s something I’d never wish anyone to have to experience,” he said. “People have workplace issues, or challenges in their life, but they’re not always on the front page of the newspaper or the lead story on the six o’clock news.”
The former MPP wants to turn the page on all that and says he’ll start formally campaigning in early September.
Regional council is appealing because it would allow him more time with his young family and to work in the private sector at the same time, he said.
It’s also free from the partisanship of the Ontario legislature, which is a big draw, he said.
“You get to put party politics aside. That will be refreshing.”
His wife Sarah said she can’t
imagine her husband not serving his community in some way. He’s a born politician — dating back to his days as student president of his high school and as a volunteer on political campaigns as early as Grade 6.
“It’s part of us. It’s a part of our whole family,” she said. “We’re excited for this, and for Mike, and to move on. I know this is what he loves, and he’s good at it.”
Harris says he has no problem answering questions about his dismissal from the PC party. He wasn’t married at the time of the texts, and the woman involved never filed a complaint about it.
Harris was turfed by Premier Ford when someone within the party unearthed a transcript of the old texts, one day after Mike Harris Jr. lost his bid to win the PC nomination in Waterloo.
Ford appointed Harris Jr. as his replacement, and he ultimately won in the June election.
This fall, the former MPP hopes voters will be able to judge him for his record in the legislature, and his commitment to this region.
“Nothing is a sure thing. But in October, people will have a chance to decide. Democracy is a great thing,” he said. “Locals will get to decide the outcome, and that’s all anyone can ever ask for.”