John Robert Nicholson

John Robert "Jack" Nicholson, PC OBE QC (December 1, 1901 – October 8, 1983) was a Canadian lawyer, businessman, politician and the 21st Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

John Robert Nicholson
21st Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
In office
July 2, 1968 – February 13, 1973
MonarchElizabeth II
Governor GeneralRoland Michener
PremierW. A. C. Bennett
Dave Barrett
Preceded byGeorge Pearkes
Succeeded byWalter Stewart Owen
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Vancouver Centre
In office
June 18, 1962 – June 25, 1968
Preceded byDouglas Jung
Succeeded byRon Basford
Personal details
Born(1901-12-01)December 1, 1901
Newcastle, New Brunswick
DiedOctober 8, 1983(1983-10-08) (aged 81)
Political partyLiberal
CabinetMinister of Forestry (1963–1964)
Postmaster General (1964–1965)
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (1965)
Minister of Labour (1965–1968)

Born in Newcastle, New Brunswick (now Miramichi), he graduated from the Dalhousie University law school in Halifax. In 1924, he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia and practised law.

During World War II, he was a deputy controller in the Department of Munitions and Supplies. From 1942 to 1951, he was the head of a crown corporation, Polymer Corporation, and from 1952 to 1956, the head of Brazilian Light and Power Co in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1962, Nicholson was elected to the Canadian House of Commons for the riding of Vancouver Centre and was re-elected in 1963 and 1965. From 1963 to 1964, he was the Minister of Forestry. From 1964 to 1965, he was the Postmaster General. In 1965, he was the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. From 1965 to 1968, he was the Minister of Labour.

From 1968 to 1973, he served as the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

Electoral history

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1965 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LiberalJack R. Nicholson9,00840.08+0.75
Progressive ConservativeDouglas Jung6,24827.80−2.73
New DemocraticLyle Kristiansen5,18423.07−1.13
Social CreditWilliam John McIntyre1,8068.04+2.10
Independent Social CreditJames B. Wisbey2281.01
Total valid votes22,474100.0  
Liberal holdSwing+1.74
1963 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LiberalJack R. Nicholson9,47239.33+3.73
Progressive ConservativeDouglas Jung7,35330.53−0.94
New DemocraticMargaret Erickson5,82624.19+0.54
Social CreditBevis Walters1,4305.94−2.29
Total valid votes24,081100.0  
Liberal holdSwing+2.34
1962 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LiberalJack R. Nicholson7,69735.61+18.43
Progressive ConservativeDouglas Jung6,80331.47−29.95
New DemocraticMargaret Erickson5,11323.65+9.73
Social CreditF. George J. Hahn1,7798.23+3.60
IndependentBurton V. White2241.04
Total valid votes21,616100.0  
Liberal gain from Progressive ConservativeSwing+24.19
Change for the New Democrats is based on the Co-operative Commonwealth.
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Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Forestry
1963–1964
Succeeded by