Nixon, Robert Fletcher

Robert Fletcher Nixon is a well known figure in Ontario political circles. He followed his father, former Ontario Premier Harry Nixon, into politics and together father and son represented the riding of Brant (now Brant - Haldimand) for over seventy years. Born 17 July 1928, Mr. Nixon was raised on the family farm in St. George, Ontario, and educated in St. George and Brantford high schools. He received a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry and Biology from McMaster University, and in 1966 was awarded an Honourary LL.D.from the same University. From McMaster he went on to further studies at the Ontario College of Education before starting a teaching career at Sault Ste. Marie. He returned south to teach in Toronto and later at all three Collegiates in Brantford. During this period he was District President of the District Secondary School Teacher's Federation and for five years was Superintendent of the St. George United Church Sunday School. Following his father's death in 1961, Robert Nixon resigned his teaching position to contest successfully the by-election of Jan. 18, 1962. That same year he became President of the Ontario Liberal Party and was its education critic in the Legislature. At the same time, he was running the family farm and a herd of 30 Holsteins. Mr. Nixon was re-elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1963, 1967, 1971, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1985, 1987, and 1990. He was Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, Opposition House Leader and Treasury, Revenue, and Management Board Critic from 1967 to 1976. His Senior Cabinet Posts include Treasurer of Ontario and Minister of Economics, Minister of Financial Institutions, Minister of Revenue, Acting Chairman of Management Board and Government House Leader 1985 - 1987. He was Deputy Premier, as well as for a second term, Treasurer and Minister of Economics between 1987 and 1990. With the fall of the Liberal Government in the 1990 election, and with the resignation of Mr. David Peterson as Party Leader, Mr. Nixon assumed the role of Interim House Leader until a successor to Mr. Peterson could be named. In 1991 Mr. Nixon, upon accepting the appointment of Agent General for the Province of Ontario in London, England, resigned his seat in the Ontario Legislature.