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Nicholas Simons

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Nicholas Simons
Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction of British Columbia
In office
November 26, 2020 – December 7, 2022
PremierJohn Horgan
David Eby
Preceded byShane Simpson
Succeeded bySheila Malcolmson
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Powell River-Sunshine Coast
In office
May 17, 2005 – October 19, 2024
Preceded byHarold Long
Succeeded byRandene Neill
Personal details
Born1964 or 1965 (age 59–60)[1]
Political partyNew Democrat
Domestic partnerScott Scobbie
ResidencePowell River
Alma materUniversity of Ottawa
Simon Fraser University
Website[1]

Nicholas Simons is a Canadian politician. He was the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of British Columbia, representing the riding of Powell River-Sunshine Coast from 2005 until 2024, as a member of the New Democratic Party.

Early life and career

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Simons grew up in Montreal, with his musician father Jan Simons teaching at McGill University.[1][2] He studied criminology at university, graduating with a bachelor's degree from University of Ottawa and master's degree from Simon Fraser University.[3]

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.[3]

He served as the executive director of health and social development for the Sechelt Nation from 1997 until 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.[3]

Politics

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Simons was a candidate for the New Democratic Party in the 2004 federal election, running in the riding of West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast. While he finished third,[4] the experience convinced him to run as a candidate for the British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP) in the provincial election the following year, in which he was elected MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast. He was re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2020.[3] He is one of four openly gay members of the provincial legislature.[1]

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 BC NDP.[5] James announced her resignation on December 6, 2010, after consulting with a group of caucus members opposed to her continued leadership.[6] Simons declared his candidacy in the subsequent leadership race on January 5, 2011,[7] but withdrew on April 7 and threw his support behind John Horgan.[8]

On November 26, 2020, he was appointed Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.[9] With the announcement of Premier David Eby's new cabinet on December 7, 2022, Simons was replaced in that role by Sheila Malcolmson,[10] and was instead named NDP caucus chair.[11] On September 1, 2023 he announced that he would not be a candidate in the next provincial election. He was succeeded by Randene Neill.[12]

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 99.28 –
Total rejected ballots 182 0.72 +0.43
Turnout 25,143 59.98 –9.63
Registered voters 41,921
New Democratic hold Swing –4.06
Source: Elections BC[13][14]
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[15][16]
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[17]

Personal life

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Simons is a cellist, whose musical credits include several tracks on Rise Against's 2004 album Siren Song of the Counter Culture.[18] Simons and Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson both perform on country-punk musician Slim Milkie's 2010 album Silverado;[18] Milkie, whose real name is Scott Scobbie, is Simons' partner.[19]

References

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  1. ^ a b c 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.
  2. ^ JAN SIMONS, SINGER 1925-2006 Stone, M JView Profile. The Globe and Mail [Toronto, Ont] 29 June 2006: S.9.
  3. ^ a b c d "MLA: Hon. Nicholas Simons". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  4. ^ "Profile - West Vancouver--Sunshine Coast, British Columbia (1997-04-27 - 2004-08-31)". Library of Parliament. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  5. ^ MacLeod, Andrew (2010-12-04). "Who Are the NDP's 13 Dissidents?". The Tyee.
  6. ^ Fowlie, Jonathan and Rob Shaw (2010-12-06). "Carole James quits as NDP leader". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 2011-03-16.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Fletcher, Tom (2011-04-07). "Simons drops out of NDP leadership race". The Chilliwack Progress. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  9. ^ "Richard Zussman on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  10. ^ "New cabinet ready to take action on cost of living, health care, housing, climate" (Press release). Office of the Premier of British Columbia. 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  11. ^ Galinski, Paul (2022-12-07). "UPDATE: Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA loses minister position". Coast Reporter. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  12. ^ Elghussein, Hussam (2024-10-20). "Randene Neill elected new MLA for Powell River – Sunshine Coast". My Powell River Now. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  13. ^ Boegman, Anton (27 July 2021). "42nd General Election Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections BC. pp. 261–263. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  15. ^ "2017 Provincial General Election - Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  17. ^ "Statement of Votes - 40th Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  18. ^ a b Mack, Adrian (2009-09-02). "NDP MLA Nicholas Simons strikes hardcore gold record". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  19. ^ Smith, Charlie (2011-01-05). "NDP MLA Nicholas Simons's leadership bid linked to tragedy". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
[edit]
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 – 7 December 2022 		Sheila Malcolmson
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