Nicholas Taylor
Encyclopedia
Nicholas "Nick" William Taylor (born November 17, 1927 in Bow Island, Alberta
) is a retired geologist, businessman and politician and former Canadian Senator from Alberta
, Canada
.
Taylor started his political career by running for the Liberal Party of Canada
in the 1968
and 1972
federal elections in Calgary Centre
he was defeated both times.
Taylor later became leader of the Alberta Liberal Party
from 1974 to 1988. During the start of his tenure as Liberal party leader, the party was at its worst point in history. Prior to taking the helm the last Liberal to serve in the Alberta Legislative Assembly, Bill Dickie
of Calgary Glenmore
would cross the floor to the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party in 1969.
Taylor slowly rebuilt the party in Alberta despite the unpopularity of the Liberal Party of Canada
, after implementing such programs as the National Energy Program
. In the 1986 Alberta general election
, the Liberals finally made a breakthrough winning four seats, and third party representation. Taylor was elected by over 500 votes in the newly created northern Alberta riding of Westlock-Sturgeon which he was again re-elected in 1989. In 1993, Taylor was elected by a 1700-vote margin in the newly created riding of Redwater against incumbent-PC MLA Steve Zarusky
.
Taylor was appointed to the Canadian Senate
by Jean Chrétien
. He served as a Liberal member from 1996 to 2002. While in the Senate, Taylor was criticized by Democracy Watch for a conflict of interest matter while chairing a committee.
As a local politician in Alberta, Taylor was known for his especially sharp wit and humorous barbs in question period during legislative sessions.
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
) is a retired geologist, businessman and politician and former Canadian Senator from Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
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...
.
Taylor started his political career by running for the Liberal Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
in the 1968
Canadian federal election, 1968
The Canadian federal election of 1968 was held on June 25, 1968, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 28th Parliament of Canada...
and 1972
Canadian federal election, 1972
The Canadian federal election of 1972 was held on October 30, 1972 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 29th Parliament of Canada. It resulted in a slim victory for the governing Liberal Party, which won 109 seats, compared to 107 seats for the opposition Progressive...
federal elections in Calgary Centre
Calgary Centre
Calgary Centre is a federal electoral district in Alberta, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968. It is an 42 km² riding in the city of Calgary with 124,197 people. The riding consists of many young adults who have a relatively high average household income...
he was defeated both times.
Taylor later became leader of the Alberta Liberal Party
Alberta Liberal Party
The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time...
from 1974 to 1988. During the start of his tenure as Liberal party leader, the party was at its worst point in history. Prior to taking the helm the last Liberal to serve in the Alberta Legislative Assembly, Bill Dickie
Bill Dickie (politician)
William "Bill" Danielle Dickie is a former corporate lawyer as well as a municipal and provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as an Alderman in Calgary from 1961 to 1964 and also served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1963 to 1975...
of Calgary Glenmore
Calgary-Glenmore
Calgary Glenmore is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Canada.The electoral riding of Calgary Glenmore is one of two original Calgary ridings of the seven that still survives from the 1959 redistribution of the Calgary riding...
would cross the floor to the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party in 1969.
Taylor slowly rebuilt the party in Alberta despite the unpopularity of the Liberal Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, after implementing such programs as the National Energy Program
National Energy Program
The National Energy Program was an energy policy of the Government of Canada. It was created under the Liberal government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau by Minister of Energy Marc Lalonde in 1980, and administered by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources.-Description:The NEP was...
. In the 1986 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1986
The Alberta general election of 1986 was the twenty-first general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on May 8, 1986 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
, the Liberals finally made a breakthrough winning four seats, and third party representation. Taylor was elected by over 500 votes in the newly created northern Alberta riding of Westlock-Sturgeon which he was again re-elected in 1989. In 1993, Taylor was elected by a 1700-vote margin in the newly created riding of Redwater against incumbent-PC MLA Steve Zarusky
Steve Zarusky
Steve Zarusky is a former provincial level politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1986 to 1993.-Political career:...
.
Taylor was appointed to the Canadian Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
by Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
. He served as a Liberal member from 1996 to 2002. While in the Senate, Taylor was criticized by Democracy Watch for a conflict of interest matter while chairing a committee.
As a local politician in Alberta, Taylor was known for his especially sharp wit and humorous barbs in question period during legislative sessions.