John Nilson

John Nilson is a retired Canadian politician in Saskatchewan. He was the member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the Regina Lakeview constituency from 1995 to 2016, representing the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party. A former lawyer with the Saskatchewan law firm Macpherson Leslie and Tyerman, he was first elected in the 1995 provincial election. He announced his retirement prior to the 2016 provincial election

John Nilson
Leader of the Opposition of Saskatchewan
In office
November 19, 2011 – March 9, 2013
PremierBrad Wall
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[1]
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic Party
OccupationLawyer

Nilson was educated at Pacific Lutheran University, the University of Oslo, at St. Olaf College in Minnesota and the University of British Columbia. He was admitted to the British Columbia bar in 1978 and to the Saskatchewan bar in 1979.[2]

He was appointed as Minister of Justice and Attorney General on November 22, 1995, Minister of Crown Investments Corporation on September 30, 1999, Minister of Health on February 7, 2001, where he was Saskatchewan's longest serving health minister and then Minister of Environment on February 3, 2006.

In the wake of the NDP's loss in the 2011 election and the resignation of leader Dwain Lingenfelter, Nilson, who was re-elected, was declared interim leader of the party.[3] He was succeeded by Cam Broten in the leadership election on March 9, 2013.[4]

Nilson announced his retirement in the fall of 2015, but continued to sit as an MLA until the Assembly was dissolved for the 2016 general election.[5]

Electoral history
2011 Saskatchewan general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  NDP John Nilson 3,860 48.38 +0.76
SaskatchewanBob Hawkins3,71546.56+14.16
GreenMike Wright4045.06+0.70
Total 100.00
2007 Saskatchewan general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  NDP John Nilson 4,275 47.62 -9,29
SaskatchewanRaynelle Wilson2,90932.40+12,08
LiberalMatt Sirois1,40015.59-5,73
GreenRobert Cosbey3924.36+2.98
Total 8,976 100.00
2003 Saskatchewan general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  NDP John Nilson 4,988 56.91 +7.60
LiberalDave Brundige1,87521.39-4.08
SaskatchewanMichelle Hunter1,78120.32-0.09
GreenBrian Rands1211.38–
Total 8,976 100.00
1999 Saskatchewan general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  NDP John Nilson 4,207 49.31 -5.38
LiberalKaren Pedersen2.17325.47-12.71
SaskatchewanRandall Edge1,74120.41–
IndependentWayne Gilmer2953.46–
Progressive ConservativeBrad Johnson1161.36-5.77
Total 8,976 100.00
1995 Saskatchewan general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  NDP John Nilson 4,807 54.69 –
LiberalKaren Pedersen3.35638.18–
Progressive ConservativeBrad Johnson6277.13–
Total 8,976 100.00

References
  1. Quiring, Brett (2004). Saskatchewan politicians: lives past and present. Canadian Plains Research Center Press. p. 179. ISBN 0889771650. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  2. "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. "John Nilson, veteran MLA, chosen interim Sask. NDP leader". CBC News. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  4. "Cam Broten elected as new leader of Saskatchewan NDP". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, March 9, 2013.
  5. "Saskatchewan Legislature farewells retiring MLAs," Regina Leader-Post, November 26, 2015.
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