Hardeman was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the provincial election of 1995, defeating incumbent New DemocratKimble Sutherland by about 8000 votes. The Progressive Conservatives under Mike Harris won the election, and Hardeman was a government backbencher for the next four years. In 1996, he was commissioned by the government to conduct a survey on the possible amalgamation of Hamilton, Ontario into a united municipality.
Hardeman was re-elected with a reduced majority in the 2003 election. He supported Jim Flaherty's unsuccessful bid for the Progressive Conservative party's leadership in 2004.
ErnieHardeman was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in June, 1995 and was appointed as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing until 1999.
Hardeman's long municipal background and rural knowledge was recognized by Premier Ernie Eves when he was asked to join Cabinet as the Associate Minister to Municipal Affairs (Rural).
Hardeman served as chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) in 1993 and 1994.