Former Ontario premier Mike Harris is still waiting for his official portrait to take its place in the provincial legislature, almost five years after he left office and just months away from the next general election.
Premier Dalton McGuinty's office said two dates were offered in December of last year to unveil the portrait by Istvan Nyikos, one of Canada's leading portrait artists. But scheduling difficulties, including a problem with the lack of availability of the Lieutenant-Governor, meant the event had to be postponed.
A spokesperson for the premier's office said they are trying to find another date for the ceremony.
When it occurs, the portrait will be mounted outside McGuinty's office in the place where Bob Rae's portrait now hangs.
Sources told the Toronto Star that friends of Harris suspect the portrait ceremony is on the back burner due to past differences between the premiers.
Harris led Ontario from 1995 to 2002. During the 1999 campaign he insisted that McGuinty was "not up to the job." McGuinty called the accusation unfair.
A Harris associate said nothing has been heard from the protocol office about a new date for the ceremony and the former premier is frustrated by the delay. Harris reportedly wants his elderly mother Hope and new grandson Jaxon to attend.
Harris' portrait was completed by Nyikos last February.
With files from The Canadian Press
