# John Nilson

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/John_Nilson
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/John_Nilson.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nilson
> Source revision: 1353589249
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Canadian politician

For Australian footballer, see [Jack Nilson](/source/Jack_Nilson).

The Honourable John Nilson ECS 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 of Saskatchewan for Regina Lakeview In office June 21, 1995 – March 8, 2016 Preceded by Louise Simard Succeeded by Carla Beck Personal details Born (1951-07-09) July 9, 1951 (age 74)[1] Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Party New Democratic Party Alma mater Pacific Lutheran University University of Oslo St. Olaf College University of British Columbia Occupation Lawyer

**John Nilson** (born July 9, 1951) is a retired [Canadian](/source/Canadians) [politician](/source/Politician) from [Saskatchewan](/source/Saskatchewan). He was a [Saskatchewan New Democratic Party](/source/Saskatchewan_New_Democratic_Party) member of the [Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan](/source/Legislative_Assembly_of_Saskatchewan) for the [Regina Lakeview](/source/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](/source/Saskatoon) and was raised in Western Canada.[2] He pursued his education at [Pacific Lutheran University](/source/Pacific_Lutheran_University), the [University of Oslo](/source/University_of_Oslo), [St. Olaf College](/source/St._Olaf_College), and the [University of British Columbia](/source/University_of_British_Columbia), where he obtained his law degree in 1977.[1] He was admitted to the [British Columbia](/source/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

Nilson was first elected in the [1995 provincial election](/source/1995_Saskatchewan_general_election), which resulted in a second consecutive majority government for the New Democrats (NDP) under [Roy Romanow](/source/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](/source/Norwegian_Constitution_Day).[3] In 1997, Nilson was accosted at the [legislature](/source/Saskatchewan_Legislative_Building) by a man who claimed he was placing Nilson under [citizen's arrest](/source/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](/source/Tobacco_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](/source/2007_Saskatchewan_general_election) to the [Saskatchewan Party](/source/Saskatchewan_Party), after which Nilson was named Opposition critic for Intergovernmental Affairs.[2]

Nilson was re-elected in the [2011 election](/source/2011_Saskatchewan_general_election); however, the NDP was reduced to just nine seats, and party leader [Dwain Lingenfelter](/source/Dwain_Lingenfelter) lost his own seat and resigned.[6] In the wake of the election, Nilson was unanimously chosen as [interim leader](/source/Interim_leader_(Canada)) 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](/source/Cam_Broten) was elected as the new leader at the party's [leadership convention](/source/2013_Saskatchewan_New_Democratic_Party_leadership_election).[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](/source/2016_Saskatchewan_general_election).[5][12]

## Electoral history

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

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-biography_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-biography_1-1) Quiring, Brett (2004). [*Saskatchewan politicians: lives past and present*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Y746xOWGfcUC&pg=PA179). Canadian Plains Research Center Press. p. 179. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0889771650](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0889771650). Retrieved 2012-03-18.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_2-4) ["Mr. John Nilson"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150226005925/http://www.legassembly.sk.ca/mlas/John-Nilson/). *Members of the Legislative Assembly*. Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. Archived from [the original](http://www.legassembly.sk.ca/mlas/John-Nilson/) on 2015-02-26. Retrieved 2012-03-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Langenegger, Stefani (2015-11-27). ["5 veteran Sask. MLAs say farewell to political life"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-legislative-retiring-mlas-1.3339877). *[CBC News](/source/CBC_News)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151127214359/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-legislative-retiring-mlas-1.3339877) from the original on 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2024-04-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["NDP's Nilson comments on politicians and security"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/ndp-s-nilson-comments-on-politicians-and-security-1.1298622). *CBC News*. 2012-09-06. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240409162346/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/ndp-s-nilson-comments-on-politicians-and-security-1.1298622) from the original on 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-04-09.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_5-1) ["Veteran NDP MLA John Nilson won't run in next election"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/veteran-ndp-mla-john-nilson-won-t-run-in-next-election-1.2879273). *CBC News*. 2014-12-19. [Archived](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) from the original on 2014-12-19. Retrieved 2024-04-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["NDP's Lingenfelter resigns after losing seat"](http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/ndp-s-lingenfelter-resigns-after-losing-seat-1.1043045). *CBC News*. 2011-11-07. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130918202616/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/ndp-s-lingenfelter-resigns-after-losing-seat-1.1043045) from the original on 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2020-11-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["John Nilson, veteran MLA, chosen interim Sask. NDP leader"](http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/john-nilson-veteran-mla-chosen-interim-sask-ndp-leader-1.1005953). *CBC News*. 2011-11-19. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151019080358/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/john-nilson-veteran-mla-chosen-interim-sask-ndp-leader-1.1005953) from the original on 2015-10-19. Retrieved 2018-05-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Former cabinet minister John Nilson chosen as Sask. NDP interim leader"](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/former-cabinet-minister-john-nilson-chosen-as-sask-ndp-interim-leader/article4183910/). *[The Globe and Mail](/source/The_Globe_and_Mail)*. [The Canadian Press](/source/The_Canadian_Press). 2011-11-19. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240409160437/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/former-cabinet-minister-john-nilson-chosen-as-sask-ndp-interim-leader/article4183910/) from the original on 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-04-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Saskatchewan approves 3 additional MLAs"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-approves-3-additional-mlas-1.1200500). *CBC News*. 2012-05-16. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201111234515/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-approves-3-additional-mlas-1.1200500) from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2024-04-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["NDP urges 'common- sense solution' in Saskatchewan labour law changes"](https://globalnews.ca/news/300246/ndp-urges-common-sense-solution-in-saskatchewan-labour-law-changes/). *[Global News](/source/Global_News)*. The Canadian Press. 2012-10-23. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240409163933/https://globalnews.ca/news/300246/ndp-urges-common-sense-solution-in-saskatchewan-labour-law-changes/) from the original on 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-04-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Couture, Joe (2013-03-09). ["Cam Broten elected as new leader of Saskatchewan NDP"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130515235148/http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Broten+elected+leader+Saskatchewan/8074351/story.html). *[The StarPhoenix](/source/The_StarPhoenix)*. Saskatoon. Archived from [the original](http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Broten%2Belected%2Bleader%2BSaskatchewan/8074351/story.html) on 2013-05-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Giles, David (2014-12-19). ["Long-time Sask. NDP stalwart John Nilson calling it quits"](https://globalnews.ca/news/1736514/long-time-sask-ndp-stalwart-john-nilson-calling-it-quits/). *Global News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141224095613/https://globalnews.ca/news/1736514/long-time-sask-ndp-stalwart-john-nilson-calling-it-quits/) from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 2024-04-09.

## External links

- [Saskatchewan New Democrats: Regina Lakeview](https://web.archive.org/web/20111024025434/http://saskndp.ca/constituencies/regina-lakeview)

v t e Leaders of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party and its antecedents CCF (1932–67) Coldwell Williams Brockelbank Douglas Lloyd NDP (1967–present) Blakeney Romanow Calvert Lingenfelter Nilson (interim) Broten Wotherspoon (interim) Sarauer (interim) Meili Beck Leadership elections 1942 1943 1961 1970 2001 2009 2013 2018 2022

v t e Cabinet of Premier of Saskatchewan Lorne Calvert (2001–2007) Lorne Calvert Graham Addley Pat Atkinson Chris Axworthy Joan Beatty Buckley Belanger Lon Borgerson Eric Cline Joanne Crofford David Forbes Keith Goulet Glenn Hagel Doreen Hamilton Ron Harper Deb Higgins Judy Junor Eldon Lautermilch Pat Lorje Janice MacKinnon Warren McCall Jim Melenchuk Sandra Morin John Nilson Ron Osika Peter Prebble Frank Quennell Clay Serby Maynard Sonntag Len Taylor Andrew Thomson Kim Trew Harry Van Mulligen Mark Wartman Kevin Yates

v t e Cabinet of Premier of Saskatchewan Roy Romanow (1991–2001) Roy Romanow Doug Anguish Pat Atkinson Chris Axworthy Buckley Belanger Judy Bradley Lorne Calvert Carol Carson Eric Cline Joanne Crofford Darrel Cunningham Keith Goulet Glenn Hagel Doreen Hamilton Jack Hillson Judy Junor Murray Koskie Eldon Lautermilch Dwain Lingenfelter Janice MacKinnon Jim Melenchuk Bob Mitchell John Nilson John Penner Bob Pringle Andy Renaud Lorne Scott Clay Serby Ned Shillington Louise Simard Maynard Sonntag Ed Tchorzewski Carol Teichrob Fred Thompson Harry Van Mulligen Eric Upshall Berny Wiens

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [John Nilson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nilson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nilson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.