McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale and Minister of Government and Consumer Affairs, emerged from surgery Tuesday morning at a Hamilton-area hospital and is still recovering.

Greg Dennis, a spokesperson for McMeekin, said he was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year. News of the diagnosis was not made public until this week.

Privately, McMeekin told colleagues he was fortunate his cancer was caught early.

Dennis said McMeekin, 60, has had several PSA (prostate specific antigen) tests since the age of 50.

"He's been getting tested for years and they caught it early," Dennis said.

The minister won't be available to comment directly for a few days following his surgery, Dennis said. To keep a low profile, the minister's office did not disclose at which hospital McMeekin received treatment.

Best wishes can be forwarded to McMeekin's constituency office on Dundas Street in Waterdown.

McMeekin will spend the next four to six weeks recovering and plans to work from his home in Flamborough.

Just hours before his surgery, McMeekin participated in a CBC Radio program explaining proposed legislation governing Canada's payday loan industry.

"He's a trooper," Dennis said.

The legislation aims to license and regulate payday loan providers, ban the practice of roll-over loans that generate compound interest, and suspend the operations of providers who do not comply with the new law.

McMeekin also appeared at last week's tribute dinner for former Ancaster councillor Murray Ferguson.

McMeekin was first elected to the provincial legislature in a 2000 byelection and won re-election in 2003 and 2007. He was named to Premier Dalton McGuinty's cabinet last fall.

8,900 diagnosed each year

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men. About 8,900 men are diagnosed with the disease each year in Ontario.

PSA tests are recommended for men aged 50 and over. The Ontario Liberal government announced in its 2008 budget that the tests will be covered by Ontario's health insurance plan.