Nicholas Simons
Encyclopedia
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
.
, 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
. He is one of four openly gay
members of the provincial legislature
.
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. James announced her resignation on December 6, after consulting with a group of caucus members opposed to her continued leadership.
He declared his candidacy in the 2011 leadership race
on January 5, 2011.
. 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.
He is also a cellist
, whose musical credits include several tracks on Rise Against
's 2004 album Siren Song of the Counter Culture
. Simons and Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson
both perform on country-punk musician Slim Milkie's 2010 album Silverado; Milkie, whose real name is Scott Scobbie, is Simons' partner of nine years.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician. He is a Member of the Legislative Assembly
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
(MLA) of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, and member of the New Democratic Party. He represents the riding of Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Powell River-Sunshine Coast is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada.- Demographics :- Member of Legislative Assembly :...
.
Politics
Simons was a candidate in the 2004 Federal electionCanadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
, for the riding of West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast
West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country
West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country is a federal electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997.-Geography:...
. While he was not elected, the experience convinced him to run in the provincial election
British Columbia general election, 2005
The 38th British Columbia general election was held on May 17, 2005, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia , Canada. The BC Liberal Party formed the government of the province prior to this general election under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell...
the following year. In 2005, Simons was elected, and became the MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
for Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Powell River-Sunshine Coast is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada.- Demographics :- Member of Legislative Assembly :...
. He was re-elected in 2009
British Columbia general election, 2009
The 39th British Columbia general election was held on May 12, 2009 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The BC Liberal Party formed the government of the province prior to this general election under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell...
. He is one of four openly gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
members of the provincial legislature
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament ....
.
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
Carole James
Carole Alison James, MLA is a Canadian politician and former public administrator. She is the former Leader of the Opposition in British Columbia and former leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party , a social democratic political party...
from her position as leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party. James announced her resignation on December 6, after consulting with a group of caucus members opposed to her continued leadership.
He declared his candidacy in the 2011 leadership race
British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership election, 2011
The British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership convention of 2011 was prompted by Carole James's announcement on December 6, 2010 that she would be resigning as leader of the party...
on January 5, 2011.
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 TerritoriesNorthwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
. 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.
He is also a cellist
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
, whose musical credits include several tracks on Rise Against
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
's 2004 album Siren Song of the Counter Culture
Siren Song of the Counter Culture
-Personnel:Rise Against*Tim McIlrath – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar*Joe Principe – Bass, backing vocals*Chris Chasse – Lead guitar, backing vocals*Brandon Barnes – Drums, percussionArtwork*Shepard Fairey – Cover illustration...
. Simons and Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson
Gregor Robertson (politician)
Gregor Angus Bethune Robertson is a Canadian politician who has been the 39th Mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia, since 2008. He was elected as part of the Vision Vancouver party slate...
both perform on country-punk musician Slim Milkie's 2010 album Silverado; Milkie, whose real name is Scott Scobbie, is Simons' partner of nine years.