Nicholas Simons

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The Honourable
Nicholas Simons
MLA
Nicholas Simons.jpg
Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction of British Columbia
Assumed office
November 26, 2020
Preceded byShane Simpson
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Assumed office
May 17, 2005
Preceded byHarold Long
Personal details
Political partyNew Democrat
Domestic partnerScott Scobbie
Website[1]

Nicholas Simons is a Canadian politician. He is a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of British Columbia, and member of the New Democratic Party. He represents the riding of Powell River-Sunshine Coast.

Politics[]

Simons was a candidate in the 2004 federal election, for the riding of West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast. While he was not elected, the experience convinced him to run in the provincial election the following year. In 2005, Simons was elected, and became the MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast. He was re-elected in 2009.[1] He is one of four openly gay members of the provincial legislature.[2]

In the legislature, Simons has served as chair of the Caucus Social Policy Committee, critic for Tourism, Sport and the Arts, and as critic for the Ministry for Children and Family Development.

He is rumoured to be one of thirteen provincial caucus members who forced the resignation of Carole James from her position as leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party.[3] James announced her resignation on December 6, after consulting with a group of caucus members opposed to her continued leadership.[4]

He declared his candidacy in the 2011 leadership race on January 5, 2011.[5]

On November 26, 2020 he was appointed Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.[6]

Electoral record[]

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2020 British Columbia general election: Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Nicholas Simons 12,701 50.88 +0.18 $36,504.80
Green Kim Darwin 8,104 32.47 +8.30 $18,011.22
Liberal Sandra Stoddart-Hansen 4,156 16.65 −7.88 $15,266.38
Total valid votes 24,961 100.00 –
Total rejected ballots    
Turnout    
Registered voters
Source: Elections BC[7][8]
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2017 British Columbia general election: Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Nicholas Simons 13,646 50.70 −4.50 $42,438
Liberal Mathew Wilson 6,602 24.53 −8.25 $65,433
Green Kim Darwin 6,505 24.17 +12.15 $20,298
Cascadia Reuben Richards 160 0.60 – $125
Total valid votes 26,913 100.00 –
Total rejected ballots 78 0.29 −0.10
Turnout 26,991 69.60 +6.36
Registered voters 38,778
Source: Elections BC[9][10]
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2013 British Columbia general election: Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Nicholas Simons 13,120 55.20 -3.08 $66,335
Liberal Patrick Muncaster 7,792 32.78 -1.54 $41,207
Green Richard Carl Till 2,856 12.02 +5.72 $4,537
Total valid votes 23,768 100.00
Total rejected ballots 92 0.39
Turnout 23,860 63.24
Source: Elections BC[11]

Life before entering politics[]

Before entering politics, Simons worked as a child-protection social worker for the Ministry for Children and Family Development, as a financial assistance worker, and as the crime prevention coordinator for the Northwest Territories. He has been a consultant for the federal, Northwest Territories and First Nations governments in areas of law reform and child welfare.

He served as the executive director of health and social development for the Sechelt Nation from 1997 until his election in 2005. In this role he oversaw health, child welfare, alcohol and drugs, financial assistance and justice programs. He also negotiated funding for innovative preventative health and social services.[1]

Simons is the son of musician Jan Simons.[12] He is also a cellist, whose musical credits include several tracks on Rise Against's 2004 album Siren Song of the Counter Culture.[13] Simons and Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson both perform on country-punk musician Slim Milkie's 2010 album Silverado;[13] Milkie, whose real name is Scott Scobbie, is Simons' partner of nine years.[14]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Official Biography: Nicholas Simons". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
  2. ^ Claveau, Diane (2004-06-24). "A skilled mediator: Nicholas Simons brings NDP voice to West Vancouver & Sunshine Coast". Xtra! West. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06.
  3. ^ MacLeod, Andrew (2010-12-04). "Who Are the NDP's 13 Dissidents?". The Tyee.
  4. ^ Fowlie, Jonathan and Rob Shaw (2010-12-06). "Carole James quits as NDP leader". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 2011-03-16.
  5. ^ Fowlie, Jonathan (2011-01-05). "NDP leadership race takes shape as new names enter -- and exit". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 2015-08-17. Retrieved 2015-05-28.
  6. ^ "Richard Zussman on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  7. ^ "2020 Provincial General Election Final Voting Results". electionsbcenr.blob.core.windows.net. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  8. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  9. ^ "2017 Provincial General Election - Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Statement of Votes - 40th Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  12. ^ JAN SIMONS, SINGER 1925-2006 Stone, M JView Profile. The Globe and Mail [Toronto, Ont] 29 June 2006: S.9.
  13. ^ a b "NDP MLA Nicholas Simons strikes hardcore gold record". The Georgia Straight, September 3, 2009.
  14. ^ "NDP MLA Nicholas Simons’s leadership bid linked to tragedy". The Georgia Straight, January 5, 2011.

External links[]

British Columbia provincial government of John Horgan
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
Shane Simpson Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
26 November 2020 – Incumbent 		Nicholas Simons
Retrieved from ""