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John Nilson

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John Nilson
Leader of the Opposition of Saskatchewan
In office
November 19, 2011 – March 9, 2013
Preceded byDwain Lingenfelter
Succeeded byCam Broten
Leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party
Interim
In office
November 19, 2011 – March 9, 2013
Preceded byDwain Lingenfelter
Succeeded byCam Broten
Member of the Legislative Assembly for Regina Lakeview
In office
June 21, 1995 – March 8, 2016
Preceded byLouise Simard
Succeeded byCarla Beck
Personal details
Born (1951-07-09) July 9, 1951 (age 73)[1]
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic Party
OccupationLawyer

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.

Early life and career

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Nilson 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

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Nilson 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

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2011 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Lakeview
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
2007 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Lakeview
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
2003 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Lakeview
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
1999 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Lakeview
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
1995 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Lakeview
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

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  1. ^ a b Quiring, Brett (2004). Saskatchewan politicians: lives past and present. Canadian Plains Research Center Press. p. 179. ISBN 0889771650. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "NDP's Lingenfelter resigns after losing seat". CBC News. 2011-11-07. Archived from the original on 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "Saskatchewan approves 3 additional MLAs". CBC News. 2012-05-16. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
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