Emails shed light on fury over Mike Harris's 2021 Order of Ontario appointment
CBC
Government emails obtained by CBC News shed new light on public anger over former premier Mike Harris's controversial 2021 appointment to the Order of Ontario.
Established in 1986, the province's highest honour is reserved for those whose "excellence has left a lasting legacy" in the fields of arts, education, business, law and public service, according to the Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Culture. Nominations are announced every New Year's Day.
Harris, 76, was Conservative premier from 1995 to 2002. His agenda of sweeping change left a lasting legacy, but the nature of that legacy is still hotly debated by supporters and detractors alike, highlighting a political divide almost two decades later.
The emails released as part of a provincial freedom of information request by CBC News show public rancour after it was announced Harris was nominated for Ontario's most prestigious award.
The names of the people who penned the letters were omitted by government officials for personal privacy reasons.
"I can't believe that Mike Harris was given the order of Ontario," one person said. "I could give a list of comments he made about the natives during the Ipperwash protests of the 90s.
"Shame on all of you for participating in this mockery of what is supposed to be an honour. The man doesn't deserve it. Blatantly racist colonial cruelty. It never ends. What a start to 2021!"
Another person wrote: "I am totally disgusted that Mike Harris.. ..is receiving the Order of Ontario," adding there are "far more deserving during a pandemic. Doctors, Nurses and PSW's should be among the recipients."
"I would like to express my anger over this selection," said another person. "I can't imagine why such a divisive premier would be selected for an honour that should recognize individuals that bring this province together and brings out the best in all of us. Mike Harris certainly did not do this."
"This is not right," writes another person. "You devalue this honour by including Mike Harris [text redacted]. Is this just a platform for the Conservative Old Boys network to nominate their friends? Shame on the Ford government."
While the emails illustrate some of the passionate opposition to Harris's nomination, they don't give a complete picture of what was happening behind the scenes in the selection process.
Most of the hundreds of pages of documents released as part of the freedom of information request were redacted by government officials. There were also emails from high-level bureaucrats outlining the concerns around "politically affiliated nominees" like Harris.
"The Order is to be kept non-partisan and transparent for the public," Maria D'Addona, team lead for the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat, wrote in an email dated Oct. 27, 2020.
"Ensure that the [lieutenant governor] is not faced with embarrassment in any given situation," she wrote, before telling the committee that Isabel Bassett, the CEO of TVOntario under Harris, "recused herself during the deliberations of [text redacted] Mike Harris."
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