Erik Nielsen

Erik Nielsen
3rd Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
In office
September 17, 1984 – June 30, 1986
Prime MinisterBrian Mulroney
Preceded byJean Chrétien
Succeeded byDon Mazankowski
Leader of the Opposition
In office
February 2, 1983 – August 28, 1983
Preceded byJoe Clark
Succeeded byBrian Mulroney
Interim Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
In office
February 19, 1983 – June 11, 1983
Preceded byJoe Clark
Succeeded byBrian Mulroney
Minister of National Defence
In office
February 27, 1985 – June 29, 1986
Prime MinisterBrian Mulroney
Preceded byRobert Coates
Succeeded byPerrin Beatty
President of the Privy Council
In office
September 17, 1984 – February 26, 1985
Prime MinisterBrian Mulroney
Preceded byAndré Ouellet
Succeeded byRay Hnatyshyn
Minister of Public Works
In office
June 4, 1979 – March 2, 1980
Prime MinisterJoe Clark
Preceded byAndré Ouellet
Succeeded byPaul Cosgrove
Member of Parliament
for Yukon
In office
December 16, 1957 – January 16, 1987
Preceded byJames Aubrey Simmons
Succeeded byAudrey McLaughlin
Personal details
Born
Erik Hersholt Nielsen

(1924-02-24)February 24, 1924
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
DiedSeptember 4, 2008(2008-09-04) (aged 84)
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Political partyProgressive Conservative
Spouse(s)Pamela June Nielsen (–1969)
Shelley Nielsen (1983–2008)
RelativesLeslie Nielsen (brother)
Profession
  • Politician
  • barrister
  • attorney
Military service
Branch/service RCAF
Years of service1942–1945
1946–1951
RankLieutenant

Erik Hersholt Nielsen PC DFC QC (February 24, 1924 – September 4, 2008) was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as the longtime Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for Yukon, and was Leader of the Opposition and the third deputy prime minister. He was the elder brother of actor Leslie Nielsen.