Mike Nixon (politician)

Mike Nixon is a Canadian politician, who was elected to in the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the 2011 election.[1] He represented the electoral district of Porter Creek South as a member of the Yukon Party caucus until 2016.

Mike Nixon
MLA for Porter Creek South
In office
October 11, 2011 – November 7, 2016
Preceded byDon Inverarity
Succeeded byRanj Pillai
Minister of Health and Social Services
In office
January 16, 2015 – December 3, 2016
Preceded byDoug Graham
Succeeded byPauline Frost
Minister of Justice
Minister of Tourism and Culture
In office
November 5, 2011 – January 16, 2015
Preceded byMarian Horne
Elaine Taylor
Succeeded byBrad Cathers
Elaine Taylor
Personal details
Political partyYukon Party
ResidenceWhitehorse, Yukon
OccupationBusinessman

Political career

Nixon first attempted to enter politics as the Yukon Party candidate in Yukon New Democrat stronghold of Whitehorse Centre, which had been vacated following the death of New Democrat leader Todd Hardy from cancer. Nixon lost his bid to Hardy's successor, Liz Hanson, finishing third in the December 13, 2010 by-election.[2]

Nixon sought election once again the following year during the 2011 Yukon election as the Yukon Party candidate in the Whitehorse riding of Porter Creek South, long-considered a Liberal stronghold. Nixon successfully defeated Liberal incumbent Don Inverarity by just 14 votes. It was the first time the Yukon Party had been elected in the riding of Porter Creek South. Following the election, Nixon was appointed to the Cabinet of Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski as Minister of Justice and Minister of Tourism and Culture.[3]

In January 2015, Nixon was moved to Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board.[4] He received criticism during his time as Minister of Health and Social Services for the government's inadequate planning of healthcare and continuing care spaces in the territory[5] and for its failure to deliver an adequate mental health strategy,[6]

Nixon announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2016 Yukon election, but was defeated by former Whitehorse city councillor and Yukon Liberal candidate Ranj Pillai. He was one of four Yukon Party Cabinet ministers to be defeated in that election, in which the party was reduced to Official Opposition status.

Personal life

Nixon, originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario, has an honours diploma from Humber College. He moved to the Yukon in 1998. Nixon has owned and operated several businesses, including a graphics design company and a property management firm. He is also a co-founder of Autism Yukon.[7]

Nixon is the former son-in-law of Yukon Conservative Senator Dan Lang[8] and has served as President and Treasurer of the Yukon Party.[9]

After his electoral defeat, Nixon became Vice-President of Property Management at Northern Vision Development.

Electoral record

Yukon general election, 2016
Porter Creek South[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  Liberal Ranj Pillai 337 46.6% +6.0%
Yukon PartyMike Nixon28539.4%-3.5%
  NDP Shirley Chua-Tan 102 14.1% -2.4%
Total 724 100.0% –

Yukon general election, 2011
Porter Creek South[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Yukon PartyMike Nixon25742.9%+0.3%
  Liberal Don Inverarity 243 40.6% -2.8%
  NDP John Carney 99 16.5% +2.6%
Total 599 100.0% –

2010 by-election
Whitehorse Centre[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
  NDP Liz Hanson 356 51.6% +5.0%
  Liberal Kirk Cameron 181 26.2% -1.3%
Yukon PartyMike Nixon15021.7%-3.1%
Total 690 100.0% –

References
  1. "Yukon Votes 2011: Porter Creek South". CBC News. October 11, 2011. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  2. "'Tonight is just the beginning,' victor vows". Whitehorse Daily Star. December 10, 2010. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  3. "Premier taps experience in crafting cabinet". Whitehorse Daily Star. November 7, 2011. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  4. "Brad Cathers demoted, Scott Kent boosted in Yukon cabinet shuffle". CBC News. January 15, 2015. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  5. Yukon hospital bed shortage prompts minister to call meeting CBC North (Paul Tucker), June 13, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  6. Yukon health minister grilled over lack of mental health strategy CBC News, April 8, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  7. L'honourable Mike Nixon Yukon Legislative Assembly. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  8. Fentie triggers downtown election Yukon News (John Thompson), November 12, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  9. RIDING PROFILE | Porter Creek South — Shirley Chua-Tan, Mike Nixon, Ranj Pillai CBC North (Nancy Thomson), November 1, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  10. The Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on the 2016 General Election Elections Yukon (March 6, 2017).
  11. Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on the 2011 General Election Elections Yukon (December 8, 2011).
  12. Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon on a By-election in the Electoral District of Whitehorse Centre Elections Yukon, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
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