Rick Nicholls
Rick Nicholls | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Chatham-Kent—Essex | |
| In office October 6, 2011 – current | |
| Preceded by | Pat Hoy |
| Succeeded by | riding redistributed |
| Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Chatham-Kent—Leamington | |
| Assumed office current | |
| Preceded by | first member |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 11, 1950 Chatham-Kent, Ontario |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
Frederick R. "Rick" Nicholls (born October 11, 1950) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who was elected in the 2011 election. He represents the riding of Chatham-Kent—Leamington.
While serving in Official Opposition from 2011-2018, Rick served 4 years in the Opposition’s Shadow Cabinet in Community Safety and Correctional Services. Since the 2018 election, he now serves as the Government Deputy Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly.
Background
Nicholls was born in Chatham-Kent, Ontario. He attended St. Clair College and the University of Windsor. His great-great-grandfather, Frederick George Rumball, was the mayor of London, Ontario from 1900-1901. Amongst his political heroes is former American President Ronald Reagan.[1]
Nicholls was the founder of Nicholls Training Group, a training and development company. His clients included the Canadian Embassy to the United Nations, Canada Post and Ford Motor Company of Canada.[2] He and his wife Dianne live in Chatham-Kent where they raised three children.[3]
Politics
Nicholls ran in the provincial election of 2011 as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding of Chatham-Kent—Essex. He defeated Liberal candidate Paul Watson by 3,490 votes.[4][5] He was re-elected in the 2014 election defeating NDP candidate Dan Gelinas by 2,516 votes.[6]
Nicholls is an outspoken opponent of wind turbines. Citing the potential health hazards of wind turbines, he has called for a moratorium on their construction.[7]
In 2012, Nicholls called for a more thorough investigation into a massive fish kill incident along the shores of Lake Erie in early September 2012.[8]
In the 41st Parliament of Ontario from 2014 to 2018 he was the party's critic for Tourism, Culture, and Sport as well as Community Safety and Correctional Services.
In the 42nd Parliament beginning after the Ontario General Election of 2018, Nicholls has served as Deputy Speaker of the House. He is also on the Caucus Advisory Teams for Corrections and Community Safety, Ministry of the Attorney General, and the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services.
References
- ^ "Nicholls persues his dream". The London Free Press. October 11, 2011.
- ^ "About Rick". Retrieved May 15, 2014.
- ^ Robinet, Don (May 26, 2014). "Conservatives looking to slay deficit and debt". Chatham Daily news.
- ^ "Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. October 6, 2011. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 30, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ^ MacKrael, Kim (October 6, 2011). "Liberals suffer losses to Tories in Southwestern Ontario". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ "General Election by District: Chatham-Kent-Essex". Elections Ontario. June 12, 2014.
- ^ "MPP wants stop to 'turbines popping up everywhere'". CBC News. July 20, 2012.
- ^ McDermott, Colin (September 5, 2012). "Mystery deepens after thousands of fish and birds wash up dead on the Canada shore of Lake Erie". ABC News.
