Oxford’s MPP was first elected to the provincial legislature in June 1995
Aug 05, 2025 • Last updated Aug 05, 2025 •
Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman (Brian Thompson/Postmedia Network)
The longest-serving current member of the Ontario Legislature and a well-known figure among Oxford County residents has recently marked a significant milestone – three decades in provincial Parliament.
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“It’s been quite an experience,” a thoughtful Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman shared. “Looking ahead, 30 years seems like a long time but, looking back, it feels like just yesterday.”
Hardeman was first elected to Queen’s Park in June 1995 when he defeated NDP incumbent Kim Sutherland. Since then, he has been re-elected nine times, most recently securing 55 percent of the vote in the latest provincial election.
“There have been ups and downs. I spent my first eight years in government and then another fifteen years in opposition before returning to government. What’s most fulfilling is that it doesn’t really matter if you’re on the government side or the opposition; working with local people is what makes this job worthwhile,” Hardeman said.
Hardeman’s long tenure has granted him the title of dean of the Legislative Assembly. He noted that being an MPP has never felt like work to him.
“It’s always been something I just do. If you enjoy what you’re doing, it never feels like work, and for me, that rings true with politics. That’s what keeps me motivated even when others suggest I should step back. I can’t imagine a better way to spend my time,” he stated.
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Before the legislature closed for its summer break, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott praised Hardeman during her address which received bipartisan applause.
“This Sunday, June 8 marks his 30th anniversary as MPP for Oxford. Ninety seconds isn’t nearly enough time to list all his achievements but let me highlight a few,” Scott mentioned.
Among those achievements was Hardeman’s private members’ bill known as the Hawkins-Gignac Act passed in 2013. Officially titled the Carbon Monoxide Safety Act, this groundbreaking legislation required carbon monoxide detectors in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.
The bill also modified the Fire Protection and Prevention Act to include carbon monoxide safety measures enforced through Ontario’s fire code and declared the first week of November as annual carbon monoxide awareness week.
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The bill was initially introduced in 2008 after OPP Const. Laurie Hawkins along with her husband Richard and their children Cassandra and Jordan tragically died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a blocked chimney vent at their home which lacked CO detectors... The Hawkins family didn’t have any alarms installed on that fateful day.
“He had to introduce it five times before getting it passed; since then it’s saved lives across Ontario,” Scott remarked.
Hardeman expressed pride over passing that law and highlighted its impact.
“It’s one thing I can confidently say I accomplished at Queen’s Park. It wasn’t solely about supporting either side; we made changes that we can actually see save lives,” said Hardeman.
At age seventy-seven, having owned and run Hardeman Feed Limited from ’66 until ’95,’ he pointed out several positive changes within his riding throughout his career.
“Almost all schools have either been rebuilt or replaced; we’ve got a new hospital in Woodstock plus nearly another one in Tillsonburg after numerous renovations and expansions. Oxford has treated me well; likewise; I believe our government has done good things for Oxford,” he added.
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In addition to his other roles as associate minister of rural municipal affairs, he initiated the Rural Economic Development Program.... “That program is still active today, creating thousands of jobs throughout rural Ontario,” Scott mentioned during her speech. He served twice as Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs introducing protections for both farmers and animals while also addressing mental health issues often faced by those working within agriculture.”Hardeman expressed gratitude towards Scott’s kind words at this unexpected end-of-session surprise. “I wasn’t expecting that recognition! She’s always been supportive; if someone was going to do it, I knew she would be there; yet honestly, I didn’t expect anyone else would.” Scott happens also to be among the longest-serving politicians currently holding office. On June eighth, Hardeman held an event at Sally Creek inviting supporters including individuals who stood by him thirty years ago. “This gathering allowed me to express thanks specifically to those who were there right from my start; not just recent supporters! I had an opportunity recognize my original campaign manager from ’95!” Dennis Vollmerhausen helped guide Hardeman through his initial electoral victory. As for whether he’ll run again next term? That remains uncertain. “I’ve always maintained- I want evaluate how well I’ve performed only near term-end; the upcoming election serves merely as feedback on prior efforts.” Lee Griffi is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with Woodstock-Ingersoll Echo; funding comes courtesy of Government Canada.
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“It’s always been something I just do. If you enjoy what you’re doing, it never feels like work, and for me, that rings true with politics. That’s what keeps me motivated even when others suggest I should step back. I can’t imagine a better way to spend my time,” he stated.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Before the legislature closed for its summer break, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott praised Hardeman during her address which received bipartisan applause.
“This Sunday, June 8 marks his 30th anniversary as MPP for Oxford. Ninety seconds isn’t nearly enough time to list all his achievements but let me highlight a few,” Scott mentioned.
Among those achievements was Hardeman’s private members’ bill known as the Hawkins-Gignac Act passed in 2013. Officially titled the Carbon Monoxide Safety Act, this groundbreaking legislation required carbon monoxide detectors in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.
The bill also modified the Fire Protection and Prevention Act to include carbon monoxide safety measures enforced through Ontario’s fire code and declared the first week of November as annual carbon monoxide awareness week.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
The bill was initially introduced in 2008 after OPP Const. Laurie Hawkins along with her husband Richard and their children Cassandra and Jordan tragically died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a blocked chimney vent at their home which lacked CO detectors... The Hawkins family didn’t have any alarms installed on that fateful day.
“He had to introduce it five times before getting it passed; since then it’s saved lives across Ontario,” Scott remarked.
Hardeman expressed pride over passing that law and highlighted its impact.
“It’s one thing I can confidently say I accomplished at Queen’s Park. It wasn’t solely about supporting either side; we made changes that we can actually see save lives,” said Hardeman.
At age seventy-seven, having owned and run Hardeman Feed Limited from ’66 until ’95,’ he pointed out several positive changes within his riding throughout his career.
“Almost all schools have either been rebuilt or replaced; we’ve got a new hospital in Woodstock plus nearly another one in Tillsonburg after numerous renovations and expansions. Oxford has treated me well; likewise; I believe our government has done good things for Oxford,” he added.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
In addition to his other roles as associate minister of rural municipal affairs, he initiated the Rural Economic Development Program.... “That program is still active today, creating thousands of jobs throughout rural Ontario,” Scott mentioned during her speech. He served twice as Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs introducing protections for both farmers and animals while also addressing mental health issues often faced by those working within agriculture.”Hardeman expressed gratitude towards Scott’s kind words at this unexpected end-of-session surprise. “I wasn’t expecting that recognition! She’s always been supportive; if someone was going to do it, I knew she would be there; yet honestly, I didn’t expect anyone else would.” Scott happens also to be among the longest-serving politicians currently holding office. On June eighth, Hardeman held an event at Sally Creek inviting supporters including individuals who stood by him thirty years ago. “This gathering allowed me to express thanks specifically to those who were there right from my start; not just recent supporters! I had an opportunity recognize my original campaign manager from ’95!” Dennis Vollmerhausen helped guide Hardeman through his initial electoral victory. As for whether he’ll run again next term? That remains uncertain. “I’ve always maintained- I want evaluate how well I’ve performed only near term-end; the upcoming election serves merely as feedback on prior efforts.” Lee Griffi is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with Woodstock-Ingersoll Echo; funding comes courtesy of Government Canada.
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