Sarah Harrison will become Deputy Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
effective December 6, 2021. Sarah is taking over from Kevin Finnerty who is retiring after 35
years with the Ontario Public Service in December.
Sarah brings over two decades of public sector experience which includes progressively senior
roles in the governments of Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. She
currently serves as the Deputy Minister of Environment in Saskatchewan, where she has
overseen significant progress on mandate objectives during the pandemic.
In Manitoba, she served as Deputy Minister of Conservation and Climate, as well as Deputy
Minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage where she had the opportunity to both see first-hand,
and work to support, the important economic contributions of heritage, sport, and culture
programs and services.
She led the planning for the Manitoba 150 year-long anniversary celebrations which bolstered
the hospitality and tourism sectors and showcased the province for investment attraction
opportunities. Her experience leading the BC government’s communications program for the
2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games provided insights into the economic and social benefits of
amateur sporting.
The Deputy Minister appointment with the Ontario government brings Sarah full circle back to
Toronto where she started her public service career.
