Robert Nixon (politician)

Robert Nixon
Robert Nixon, circa 1971
Treasurer of Ontario
In office June 1985 – October 1990
Preceded by	Bette Stephenson
Succeeded by	Floyd Laughren
Leader of the Opposition
In office November 20, 1990 – July 31, 1991
Preceded by	Bob Rae
Succeeded by	Murray Elston
In office January 25, 1982 – February 21, 1982
Preceded by	Stuart Smith
Succeeded by	David Peterson
In office February 1967 – September 18, 1975
Preceded by	Andy Thompson
Succeeded by	Stephen Lewis
Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party
In office January 6, 1967 – January 25, 1976
Preceded by	Andy Thompson
Succeeded by	Stuart Smith
Member of the Provincial Parliament
In office 1987–1991
Preceded by	Riding created
Succeeded by	Ronald Eddy
Constituency	Brant—Haldimand
In office 1975–1987
Preceded by	Riding created
Succeeded by	Riding abolished
Constituency	Brant
In office 1962–1975
Preceded by	Harry Nixon
Succeeded by	Riding abolished
Constituency	Brant
Personal details
Born	Robert Fletcher Nixon (1928-07-17) July 17, 1928 (age 88) St. George, Ontario
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Liberal
Occupation	Farmer
Religion	Protestant

Robert Fletcher Nixon, OOnt (born July 17, 1928) is a Canadian retired politician in the province of Ontario, Canada. The son of former Premier of Ontario Harry Nixon, he was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in a 1962 by-election following his father's death. Robert Nixon quickly became a leading member of the Ontario Liberal Party, and was elected its leader in 1967. He remained in this position until 1976, when he was replaced by Stuart Smith. Nixon remained a member of the Liberal caucus after standing down as leader, and was a prominent cabinet minister in the government of David Peterson from 1985 to 1990.

Nixon was educated at McMaster University (receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry & Biology in 1950) and the University of Toronto's Ontario College of Education, and worked as a farmer before entering political life. When his father, who had been a member of the legislature since the 1919 provincial election, died on October 22, 1961, Nixon was chosen to run under the Liberal banner as his replacement. On January 18, 1962, he was elected without difficulty as the member for the rural, southwestern Ontario riding of Brant. He is a Protestant and a Freemason.

At this time, Ontario was dominated by the Progressive Conservative Party, then led by John Robarts. The PC party had won 71 of 98 seats in the previous general election, and had governed the province since 1943. Nixon quickly emerged as a leading figure in the opposition, and was returned easily in the 1963 provincial election.