Saskatchewan's New Democrats Select Interim Leader
November 19, 2011
NDP Selects Acting Leader
The Saskatchewan NDP has elected John Nilson to serve as Acting Leader of the NDP until such time as a new Leader is chosen in a leadership race.
In a meeting today at Tommy Douglas House in Regina, the Provincial Council and elected NDP MLAs met jointly and unanimously selected Nilson, the MLA for Regina Lakeview, to serve as Acting Leader.
“I am honoured to be selected to serve the NDP as Acting Leader,” John Nilson said. “Our first task is to prepare for the upcoming Fall Session. Our Caucus will work diligently as the Official Opposition to hold the government to account to ensure that all Saskatchewan residents benefit from our current resource boom.”
Nilson was first elected in June, 1995, and has represented Regina Lakeview since then. He was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Justice and Attorney General in November, 1995, and has served in a number of portfolios, including Crown Investments Corporation, Health and Environment.
Before entering politics, Nilson obtained his education at Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Washington), the University of Oslo (Norway) and St. Olaf College (Minnesota), prior to obtaining his law degree from the University of British Columbia in 1977. He was admitted to the Bar in British Columbia in 1978 and in Saskatchewan in 1979. He practised law and mediation with MacPherson, Leslie & Tyerman from 1978 until he was elected.
Nilson was Consul of Norway for Saskatchewan from 1991 to 1995 and Acting Consul of Denmark for Saskatchewan from July 1994 to 1995. He is an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and the Scandinavian Club of Regina, and many community organizations. He and his wife, Linda, have two daughters, Ingrid and Solveig. They live in Regina Lakeview, near the Legislature, and farm north of Parkbeg.
The NDP will determine the timing and rules for a leadership competition to select a new Leader at the next meeting of its Provincial Council in late February or early March 2012.
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