{{Short description|Canadian politician}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}} {{for|Australian footballer|Jack Nilson}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = John Nilson | honorific_prefix = [[The Honourable]] | honorific_suffix = [[Executive Council of Saskatchewan|ECS]] | image = John Nilson.jpg | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|7|9}}<ref name="biography">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y746xOWGfcUC&pg=PA179 |title=Saskatchewan politicians: lives past and present |page=179 |last=Quiring |first=Brett |year=2004 |isbn=0889771650 |publisher=Canadian Plains Research Center Press |accessdate=2012-03-18}}</ref> | birth_place = [[Saskatoon]], [[Saskatchewan]], Canada | office = [[Saskatchewan Opposition Leader|Leader of the Opposition of Saskatchewan]] | term_start = November 19, 2011 | term_end = March 9, 2013 | predecessor = [[Dwain Lingenfelter]] | successor = [[Cam Broten]] | office1 = Leader of the [[Saskatchewan New Democratic Party]] <br /><small>Interim</small> | term_start1 = November 19, 2011 | term_end1 = March 9, 2013 | predecessor1 = [[Dwain Lingenfelter]] | successor1 = [[Cam Broten]] | office2 = Member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan]] for [[Regina Lakeview]] | term_start2 = June 21, 1995 | term_end2 = March 8, 2016 | predecessor2 = [[Louise Simard (politician)|Louise Simard]] | successor2 = [[Carla Beck]] | party = [[Saskatchewan New Democratic Party|New Democratic Party]] | occupation = Lawyer | alma_mater = [[Pacific Lutheran University]]<br>[[University of Oslo]]<br> [[St. Olaf College]]<br>[[University of British Columbia]] }} '''John Nilson''' (born July 9, 1951) is a retired [[Canadians|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==

Nilson was born in [[Saskatoon]] and was raised in Western Canada.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name="biography" /> He was admitted to the [[British Columbia]] bar in 1978 and the Saskatchewan bar in 1979.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.legassembly.sk.ca/mlas/John-Nilson/ |title=Mr. John Nilson |publisher=Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan |work=Members of the Legislative Assembly |accessdate=2012-03-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226005925/http://www.legassembly.sk.ca/mlas/John-Nilson/ |archivedate=2015-02-26 }}</ref> He practiced law and mediation with Macpherson, Leslie and Tyerman until he was first elected to the Legislature in 1995.<ref name=":0" />

==Political career==

Nilson was first elected in the [[1995 Saskatchewan general election|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.<ref name=":0" /> 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]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Langenegger |first=Stefani |date=2015-11-27 |title=5 veteran Sask. MLAs say farewell to political life |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-legislative-retiring-mlas-1.3339877 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127214359/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-legislative-retiring-mlas-1.3339877 |archive-date=2015-11-27 |access-date=2024-04-09 |work=[[CBC News]]}}</ref> In 1997, Nilson was accosted at the [[Saskatchewan Legislative Building|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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-09-06 |title=NDP's Nilson comments on politicians and security |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/ndp-s-nilson-comments-on-politicians-and-security-1.1298622 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409162346/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/ndp-s-nilson-comments-on-politicians-and-security-1.1298622 |archive-date=2024-04-09 |access-date=2024-04-09 |work=CBC News}}</ref>

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 [[Tobacco smoking|smoking]] in public spaces and the public display of cigarettes, which he later cited as a highlight of his career.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2014-12-19 |title=Veteran NDP MLA John Nilson won't run in next election |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/veteran-ndp-mla-john-nilson-won-t-run-in-next-election-1.2879273 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219203500/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/veteran-ndp-mla-john-nilson-won-t-run-in-next-election-1.2879273 |archive-date=2014-12-19 |access-date=2024-04-09 |work=CBC News}}</ref>

The NDP lost the [[2007 Saskatchewan general election|2007 election]] to the [[Saskatchewan Party]], after which Nilson was named Opposition critic for Intergovernmental Affairs.<ref name=":0" />

Nilson was re-elected in the [[2011 Saskatchewan general election|2011 election]]; however, the NDP was reduced to just nine seats, and party leader [[Dwain Lingenfelter]] lost his own seat and resigned.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-11-07 |title=NDP's Lingenfelter resigns after losing seat |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/ndp-s-lingenfelter-resigns-after-losing-seat-1.1043045 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918202616/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/ndp-s-lingenfelter-resigns-after-losing-seat-1.1043045 |archive-date=2013-09-18 |access-date=2020-11-18 |work=CBC News}}</ref> In the wake of the election, Nilson was unanimously chosen as [[Interim leader (Canada)|interim leader]] of the party until a new leader was elected.<ref>{{cite news |date=2011-11-19 |title=John Nilson, veteran MLA, chosen interim Sask. NDP leader |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/john-nilson-veteran-mla-chosen-interim-sask-ndp-leader-1.1005953 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019080358/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/john-nilson-veteran-mla-chosen-interim-sask-ndp-leader-1.1005953 |archive-date=2015-10-19 |accessdate=2018-05-31 |work=CBC News}}</ref> Nilson stated at the time that he would not run for the party leadership.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-11-19 |title=Former cabinet minister John Nilson chosen as Sask. NDP interim leader |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/former-cabinet-minister-john-nilson-chosen-as-sask-ndp-interim-leader/article4183910/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409160437/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/former-cabinet-minister-john-nilson-chosen-as-sask-ndp-interim-leader/article4183910/ |archive-date=2024-04-09 |access-date=2024-04-09 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-05-16 |title=Saskatchewan approves 3 additional MLAs |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-approves-3-additional-mlas-1.1200500 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111234515/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-approves-3-additional-mlas-1.1200500 |archive-date=2020-11-11 |access-date=2024-04-09 |work=CBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-10-23 |title=NDP urges 'common- sense solution' in Saskatchewan labour law changes |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/300246/ndp-urges-common-sense-solution-in-saskatchewan-labour-law-changes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409163933/https://globalnews.ca/news/300246/ndp-urges-common-sense-solution-in-saskatchewan-labour-law-changes/ |archive-date=2024-04-09 |access-date=2024-04-09 |work=[[Global News]] |agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref> On March 9, 2013, [[Cam Broten]] was elected as the new leader at the party's [[2013 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election|leadership convention]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Couture |first=Joe |date=2013-03-09 |title=Cam Broten elected as new leader of Saskatchewan NDP |url=http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Broten%2Belected%2Bleader%2BSaskatchewan/8074351/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515235148/http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Broten+elected+leader+Saskatchewan/8074351/story.html |archive-date=2013-05-15 |work=[[The StarPhoenix]] |location=Saskatoon}}</ref>

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 Saskatchewan general election|2016 general election]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Giles |first=David |date=2014-12-19 |title=Long-time Sask. NDP stalwart John Nilson calling it quits |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1736514/long-time-sask-ndp-stalwart-john-nilson-calling-it-quits/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224095613/https://globalnews.ca/news/1736514/long-time-sask-ndp-stalwart-john-nilson-calling-it-quits/ |archive-date=2014-12-24 |access-date=2024-04-09 |work=Global News}}</ref>

== Electoral history == {{Election box begin | title=[[2011 Saskatchewan general election]]: [[Regina Lakeview]]}} |- {{Canadian party colour|SK|NDP|row}} |[[New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan|NDP]] |'''John Nilson''' |align="right"|3,860 |align="right"|48.38 |align="right"|+0.76 {{CANelec |SK |Saskatchewan |Bob Hawkins |3,715 |46.56 |+14.16}} {{CANelec|SK|Green|Mike Wright|404|5.06|+0.70}} |- bgcolor="white" !align="left" colspan=3|Total !align="right"| !align="right"|100.00 !align="right"| {{election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[2007 Saskatchewan general election]]: [[Regina Lakeview]]}} |- {{Canadian party colour|SK|NDP|row}} |[[New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan|NDP]] |'''John Nilson''' |align="right"|4,275 |align="right"|47.62 |align="right"|-9,29 {{CANelec|SK|Saskatchewan|Raynelle Wilson|2,909|32.40|+12,08}} {{CANelec|SK|Liberal|Matt Sirois|1,400|15.59|-5,73}} {{CANelec|SK|Green|Robert Cosbey|392|4.36|+2.98}} |- bgcolor="white" !align="left" colspan=3|Total !align="right"|8,976 !align="right"|100.00 !align="right"| {{election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[2003 Saskatchewan general election]]: [[Regina Lakeview]]}} |- {{Canadian party colour|SK|NDP|row}} |[[New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan|NDP]] |'''John Nilson''' |align="right"|4,988 |align="right"|56.91 |align="right"| +7.60 {{CANelec|SK|Liberal|Dave Brundige|1,875|21.39|-4.08}} {{CANelec|SK|Saskatchewan|Michelle Hunter|1,781|20.32|-0.09}} {{CANelec|SK|New Green Alliance|Brian Rands|121|1.38|&ndash;}} |- bgcolor="white" !align="left" colspan=3|Total !align="right"|8,976 !align="right"|100.00 !align="right"| {{election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1999 Saskatchewan general election]]: [[Regina Lakeview]]}} |- {{Canadian party colour|SK|NDP|row}} |[[New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan|NDP]] |'''John Nilson''' |align="right"|4,207 |align="right"|49.31 |align="right"| -5.38 {{CANelec|SK|Liberal|Karen Pedersen|2.173|25.47|-12.71}} {{CANelec|SK|Saskatchewan|Randall Edge|1,741|20.41|&ndash;}} {{CANelec|SK|Independent|Wayne Gilmer|295|3.46|&ndash;}} {{CANelec|SK|PC|Brad Johnson|116|1.36|-5.77}} |- bgcolor="white" !align="left" colspan=3|Total !align="right"|8,976 !align="right"|100.00 !align="right"| {{election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1995 Saskatchewan general election]]: [[Regina Lakeview]]}} |- {{Canadian party colour|SK|NDP|row}} |[[New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan|NDP]] |'''John Nilson''' |align="right"|4,807 |align="right"|54.69 |align="right"|&ndash; {{CANelec|SK|Liberal|Karen Pedersen|3.356|38.18|&ndash;}} {{CANelec|SK|PC|Brad Johnson|627|7.13|&ndash;}} |- bgcolor="white" !align="left" colspan=3|Total !align="right"|8,976 !align="right"|100.00 !align="right"| {{election box end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20111024025434/http://saskndp.ca/constituencies/regina-lakeview Saskatchewan New Democrats: Regina Lakeview]

{{Saskatchewan NDP Leaders}} {{Calvert Ministry}} {{Romanow Ministry}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nilson, John}} [[Category:Canadian people of Norwegian descent]] [[Category:Saskatchewan New Democratic Party MLAs]] [[Category:1951 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Leaders of the opposition (Saskatchewan)]] [[Category:Politicians from Regina, Saskatchewan]] [[Category:Politicians from Saskatoon]] [[Category:Leaders of the Saskatchewan CCF/NDP]] [[Category:Pacific Lutheran University alumni]] [[Category:St. Olaf College alumni]] [[Category:University of Oslo alumni]] [[Category:University of British Columbia alumni]] [[Category:20th-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan]] [[Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan]]