John Nilson (born July 9, 1951) is a retired Canadian politician from Saskatchewan. He was a Saskatchewan New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the Regina Lakeview constituency from 1995 to 2016. He served as interim leader of the party from 2011 to 2013.
John Nilson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader of the Opposition of Saskatchewan | |
| In office November 19, 2011 – March 9, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Dwain Lingenfelter |
| Succeeded by | Cam Broten |
| Leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party Interim | |
| In office November 19, 2011 – March 9, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Dwain Lingenfelter |
| Succeeded by | Cam Broten |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Regina Lakeview | |
| In office June 21, 1995 – March 8, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Louise Simard |
| Succeeded by | Carla Beck |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 9, 1951[1] Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Political party | New Democratic Party |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
Early life and career
editNilson was born in Saskatoon and was raised in Western Canada.[2] He pursued his education at Pacific Lutheran University, the University of Oslo, St. Olaf College, and the University of British Columbia, where he obtained his law degree in 1977.[1] He was admitted to the British Columbia bar in 1978 and the Saskatchewan bar in 1979.[2] He practiced law and mediation with Macpherson, Leslie and Tyerman until he was first elected to the Legislature in 1995.[2]
Political career
editNilson was first elected in the 1995 provincial election, which resulted in a second consecutive majority government for the New Democrats (NDP) under Roy Romanow. Nilson was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General on November 22, 1995.[2] Boasting Norwegian heritage, Nilson would become known for taking some time to speak Norwegian in the legislature each year on or around Norwegian Constitution Day.[3] In 1997, Nilson was accosted at the legislature by a man who claimed he was placing Nilson under citizen's arrest; the man was detained by security and charged with assault. The incident led to security reforms at the legislature.[4]
Nilson later served as Minister of Crown Investments Corporation, Minister of Health, and Minister of Environment. He became Saskatchewan's longest-serving health minister and in that role oversaw a ban on smoking in public spaces and the public display of cigarettes, which he later cited as a highlight of his career.[5]
The NDP lost the 2007 election to the Saskatchewan Party, after which Nilson was named Opposition critic for Intergovernmental Affairs.[2]
Nilson was re-elected in the 2011 election; however, the NDP was reduced to just nine seats, and party leader Dwain Lingenfelter lost his own seat and resigned.[6] In the wake of the election, Nilson was unanimously chosen as interim leader of the party until a new leader was elected.[7] Nilson stated at the time that he would not run for the party leadership.[8] As Opposition leader, Nilson unsuccessfully opposed the expansion of seats in the legislature from 58 to 61, and more successfully urged the government against extensive labour reforms, including a proposal to allow union members to opt out of paying union dues.[9][10] On March 9, 2013, Cam Broten was elected as the new leader at the party's leadership convention.[11]
Nilson announced in December 2014 that he would not run in the next election and would be retiring from politics; he would continue to sit as an MLA until the Assembly was dissolved for the 2016 general election.[5][12]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDP | John Nilson | 3,860 | 48.38 | +0.76 | |
| Saskatchewan | Bob Hawkins | 3,715 | 46.56 | +14.16 | |
| Green | Mike Wright | 404 | 5.06 | +0.70 | |
| Total | 100.00 | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDP | John Nilson | 4,275 | 47.62 | -9,29 | |
| Saskatchewan | Raynelle Wilson | 2,909 | 32.40 | +12,08 | |
| Liberal | Matt Sirois | 1,400 | 15.59 | -5,73 | |
| Green | Robert Cosbey | 392 | 4.36 | +2.98 | |
| Total | 8,976 | 100.00 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDP | John Nilson | 4,988 | 56.91 | +7.60 | |
| Liberal | Dave Brundige | 1,875 | 21.39 | -4.08 | |
| Saskatchewan | Michelle Hunter | 1,781 | 20.32 | -0.09 | |
| New Green | Brian Rands | 121 | 1.38 | – | |
| Total | 8,976 | 100.00 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDP | John Nilson | 4,207 | 49.31 | -5.38 | |
| Liberal | Karen Pedersen | 2.173 | 25.47 | -12.71 | |
| Saskatchewan | Randall Edge | 1,741 | 20.41 | – | |
| Independent | Wayne Gilmer | 295 | 3.46 | – | |
| Progressive Conservative | Brad Johnson | 116 | 1.36 | -5.77 | |
| Total | 8,976 | 100.00 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDP | John Nilson | 4,807 | 54.69 | – | |
| Liberal | Karen Pedersen | 3.356 | 38.18 | – | |
| Progressive Conservative | Brad Johnson | 627 | 7.13 | – | |
| Total | 8,976 | 100.00 | |||
References
edit- ^ a b Quiring, Brett (2004). Saskatchewan politicians: lives past and present. Canadian Plains Research Center Press. p. 179. ISBN 0889771650. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
- ^ a b c d e "Mr. John Nilson". Members of the Legislative Assembly. Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. Archived from the original on 2015-02-26. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
- ^ Langenegger, Stefani (2015-11-27). "5 veteran Sask. MLAs say farewell to political life". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ "NDP's Nilson comments on politicians and security". CBC News. 2012-09-06. Archived from the original on 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ a b "Veteran NDP MLA John Nilson won't run in next election". CBC News. 2014-12-19. Archived from the original on 2014-12-19. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ "NDP's Lingenfelter resigns after losing seat". CBC News. 2011-11-07. Archived from the original on 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
- ^ "John Nilson, veteran MLA, chosen interim Sask. NDP leader". CBC News. 2011-11-19. Archived from the original on 2015-10-19. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- ^ "Former cabinet minister John Nilson chosen as Sask. NDP interim leader". The Globe and Mail. The Canadian Press. 2011-11-19. Archived from the original on 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ "Saskatchewan approves 3 additional MLAs". CBC News. 2012-05-16. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ "NDP urges 'common- sense solution' in Saskatchewan labour law changes". Global News. The Canadian Press. 2012-10-23. Archived from the original on 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ Couture, Joe (2013-03-09). "Cam Broten elected as new leader of Saskatchewan NDP". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. Archived from the original on 2013-05-15.
- ^ Giles, David (2014-12-19). "Long-time Sask. NDP stalwart John Nilson calling it quits". Global News. Archived from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 2024-04-09.