Michael Harris is a Senior Business Advisor in the Corporate/Commercial and Government Relations & Ethics Groups at Fasken.
From 1981 – 2002, Michael served as Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Nipissing. From 1995 – 2002 he served as Ontario’s twenty-second Premier, following a landslide election victory in 1995. He was re-elected again for a second term in 1999, making him the first Ontario Premier in more than 30 years to form a second consecutive majority government. He is known for his advice on governance issues and government relations matters and brings extensive experience in public policy and government decision-making.
After leaving public office in 2002, Michael formed his own consulting firm. As President of Steane Consulting Ltd., he is an advisor to numerous Canadian companies. He serves as Director on several private and public boards, including Hampton Financial Corporation, Route1 Inc. (Chairman), and Voxtur Analytics Corp. (Lead Director). Michael’s past board responsibilities include Canaccord Genuity Group Inc., Colliers International Group Inc., and he is former Chair for both Chartwell Retirement Residences and Magna International Inc. He also sits on the advisory boards of several private equity funds including EnerTech and Beringer Capital. Michael received his ICD.D certification from the Institute of Corporate Directors in 2005.
Michael’s passion for the community is shown through his involvement with various organizations and institutions. He serves as a Director on the board of the New Haven Learning Centre, a charitable, non-profit organization committed to being a Centre of Excellence in the treatment and education of children with autism. He also serves on the board of The Joyce Family Foundation. He previously served on the board of the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation and also as Honorary Chairman of fundraising initiatives for Nipissing University, Canadore College and the North Bay Regional Health Centre.
Michael is also a Senior Fellow with The Fraser Institute, a leading Canadian economic, social research and education organization. Michael was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2020.